HOW TO COOK UP SOME ARTICHOKES

1. • 1
     Wash artichokes in cold water.
   • 2
     Cut off the top inch or so from each artichoke. If there are any leaves with thorns on their tops remaining, pull them out.
   • 3
     Boil artichokes in salted water 20 to 45 minutes, until artichokes are tender.
   • 4
     Alternatively, steam artichokes for 15 to 30 minutes, or until tender.
   • 5
     As another option, microwave artichokes, individually wrapped in plastic, for 8 to 15 minutes.
   • 6
     Drain artichokes well, upside down. Serve with melted butter to dip the leaves in, or try homemade mayonnaise or garlic mayonnaise.
   • 7
     To trim and cook just the artichoke hearts and inner leaves, first fill a large mixing bowl with cold water and add the juice of one lemon.
   • 8
     Remove all the tough outer leaves from an artichoke. Stop removing leaves when you get to the tender, light green ones.
   • 9
     Cut about 1 to 2 inches off the top of the artichoke, then cut the artichoke into quarters. Put three quarters in the bowl of water and work with the remaining quarter.
   • 10
     Use a spoon to remove the fuzzy choke and purple and white inner leaves from the center of the artichoke. Slice the artichoke quarter into as many slices as you want; put the slices in the water and proceed with another quarter.
   • 11
     Sauté, braise or stew the artichoke slices as you wish.