I don’t know many people who enjoy cooking, eating and preparing artichokes. They are a little intimidating! And fresh ones certainly don’t look friendly.
To avoid getting poked, for ease of preparing and enjoying the artichokes, cut the top of the vegetable off and the tips of the leaves on the outer edges.
Use a steaming basket if you have one or just water in a pan that partially reaches up the side of the green vegetable. Bring the water to a boil with the bay leaf, garlic and a partial lemon too.
Time to enjoy eating the artichoke! Melt some butter and dip a leaf into the butter. Insert leaf into mouth and scrape teeth against it in order to pull the “meat” from it.