It’s artichoke season! It’s artichoke season! Hooray!
I get a little giddy this time of year. What an awkward thing artichokes are to cook and eat but WOW so delightful. Do you ever think about how someone figured out how to prepare and eat certain foods? I think about that all the time. And certainly when I am cooking and eating artichokes, ha!
I’ve been enjoying artichokes prepared approximately this way since I was very young… And I love them just as much today. Enjoy.

Artichokes

4 whole fresh artichokes, trimmed (cut the very top off to flatten, peel off the super tough 3-4 outer leaves, and trim off the toughest part of the stem. Leave most of the stem on though, it is delicious)
1 lemon, cut in half
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning

Put a steamer basket and an inch or so of water in a large pot with a lid. Bring to a boil, add the artichokes and immediately squeeze all the juice from the lemon on them so they don’t turn brown. Throw the lemon husks, garlic and Italian seasoning into the pot, cover, and steam about an hour until tender ( a knife should easily pierce the stem). Remove artichokes to a serving platter and serve with sauce.

Dipping sauce for artichokes

3/4 cup mayonnaise
Juice of one lemon
1-2 cloves of garlic, crushed (to your taste)

Mix ingredients, taste for seasoning and adjust any of the ingredients to your liking. Serve with the artichokes.