HOW TO EAT AN ARTICHOKE

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Let’s get started:

First, cut 1/4 of the top off of the artichoke with a sharp knife

Cut the base off of the artichoke, so it will sit flat in your pan
Cut all the points off of all the leaves with your kitchen shears
Place your artichokes in a pan with about an inch of water in the bottom & bring to a boil.

Cover the pan with a lid & turn to stove to low.  Simmer for 35-45 minutes, or until meat on leaves are tender.  Pull a leaf off occasionally to test tenderness.
Drain water out of artichoke & place on plate.  Serve with garlic butter sauce OR Mix Mayonnaise and fresh lemon juice together and dip each leaf (meat end) into sauce. Starting on the outside pull leaves off and scrape teeth along leaf to remove the meat of the artichoke.

Continue doing this until you get to the very center of the artichoke (it will look like this)

You are now down to the heart of the artichoke.  Using a fork or spoon, slowly scoop out all the hair until you are left with the heart (it will look like this)

The heart is the best part of the artichoke.  Cut it up into bite size pieces, dip it in butteror mayonnaise sauce.