2sliceslemon you could also add bay leaves or garlic for more flavor
Instructions
Pull away any small, tough leaves near/on the stem and then use kitchen shears (which is easiest) or a sharp stainless steel knife to cut off the thorny tips of the artichoke leaves.
Optional step: use a large serrated knife to remove the top ¾-inch of the artichoke globe (I always do this with larger artichokes). Then, immediately rub lemon juice all over the cut parts of the plant to avoid oxidization/browning.The edible part on the leaves is at their base, so you won’t remove anything edible.
Trim the brown woody part off the stem and add more lemon. If it's thick, peel the tough outer layer of the stem with a vegetable peeler.
Place the artichoke globes in a steamer basket in a large pot with at least 2 inches of simmering water.
Cover with a lid and steam the artichoke for 25-35 minutes (40-60 minutes for very large artichokes), until the stem is knife-tender and it's easy to pull away a leaf.Monitor the water level to add more if needed. It should never get below about an inch in the pan.
Notes
You could also add bay leaves or garlic for more flavor.Serve the steamed artichoke with citrus artichoke dipping sauce or melted butter, lemon garlic butter sauce, garlic aioli, mayo, etc.Check the blog post for more information about how to choose artichokes, how to cook artichokes with other cooking methods, and answers to top FAQs!