Fresh Artichokes, Preparing and Serving

• 4 medium to large fresh artichokes
• 1 large stockpot, filled halfway full with chicken broth
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp cajun seasoning
• 1/2 tbsp black pepper
• 1 recipe Hollindaise Sauce, recipe included below
• 1 recipe Spicy Ranch dip / dressing, recipe included below

1. Add lemon juice, butter, cajun seasoning and pepper to chicken broth.
2. Bring mixture to a boil while preparing artichokes.
3. Cut stem of artichoke off so that artichoke stands upright.
4. Snip off pointed ends with scissors.
5. Cut 1/4 inch of top with sharp knife.
6. Add to boiling, seasoned chicken broth, cover and simmer.
7. Cook until the tip of a knife inserted into the bottom center of artichoke goes in easily This will take 40 to 60 minutes depending on the size of the artichokes
8. Drain artichokes upside down for 2 to 3 minutes.
9. To eat an artichoke, serve whole, pulling off each leaf individually, dip bottom of leaf in sauce and scrape off soft meaty flesh with your teeth.
10. When you finish with all the leaves, you get to the heart, which is surrounded by sharp little leaves, pull them off, do not eat pointed tops.
11. Now you will see a fuzzy covered heart, with a small sharp knife or spoon take the fuzz off and discard, what is left is the delicious heart, cut up and dip in to your sauce!
12. To prepare in advance, cook and drain as directed, place each artichoke top side up in small bowl.
13. Refrigerate up to 2 days.
14. To reheat place artichoke, in it's bowl on a microwave safe plate.
15. You can use a platter if you have a few.artichokes.
16. Fill a small microwave safe glass halfway full with water, place on a plate or a platter with the artichokes.
17. Cover loosely with plastic wrap.
18. Microwave until hot.
19. About 1 to 2 minutes for each artichoke, depending on your microwave.and how cold they are.
20. Serve hot artichokes, 1 per person, with your favorite sauce..
21. I have included Hollindaise sauce and Spicy Ranch Dio / Dressing, but lemon butter, garlic butter, or just plain melted butter is good.as well!

fresh artichokes, stockpot, lemon juice, butter, cajun seasoning, black pepper, hollindaise sauce, dressing

Taken from cookpad.com/us/recipes/347163-fresh-artichokes-preparing-and-serving (may not work)