The Art of Appreciation & Patience - freshly steamed artichokes

Have you ever tried fresh artichokes before? If not, you really should. They're one of my hubby's favourite appetizers (and mine too). They take a bit of effort to eat, but the pay off in taste is well worth it! This is slow food... and you are meant to savour each tiny bite, leaf by leaf. It is an adventure in appreciation.... of taste, of texture and of patience.

Read on for cooking & eating instructions...

To cook artichokes, you first have to trim down the spiky edges using kitchen scissors, and chop off a bit of the bottom so that they can stand upright. Put them in a pot of boiling water, approximately 1 inch deep, cover, and steam on medium heat for approximately 25-35 minutes (depending on their size), until the bottom is soft. Then sprinkle with freshly squeezed lemon juice.
The bottom of each leaf holds the edible part.... dip it in a vinaigrette and then scoop out the soft part with your teeth.
Mmmmmm, one leaf down, 99 to go!