How to Cook Artichokes

1. Clean the artichoke completely by submerging it in warm salt water for an hour to remove dirt and other foreign substances.

2. Prepare the artichokes: Cut the bottom stem from the artichokes with a knife, using a cutting board. Cut off the bottom stems so it is flat and can sit upright in the pot to cook.

3. Remove the outer leaves of the artichoke near the bottom and dispose of the leaves. These leaves are the tough outer leaves and do not make for good eating.

4. Cut off an inch of the top of the artichoke using a knife.

5. Snip the top of the remaining leaves with the scissors, taking off the spikes off the leaves to make them easier to eat.

6. Place the artichokes inside a pot and situate them next to each other. Only put in the artichokes that will fit standing next to each other in one layer.

7. Take the artichokes out of the pot. Add 4 inches of water to the pot along with a teaspoon of lemon juice. Bring the water to a boil.

8. Once the water is boiling, add the artichokes back into the pot and put a lid over the pot. Reduce the temperature to medium low.

9. Allow the artichokes to simmer in the water for 30 minutes.

10. Remove the artichokes and allow them to drain. The easiest way is to place them in a colander and allow the water to drain out.

11. Serve with butter and lemon juice on the side for dipping the leaves in.