Simply Delicious Artichokes
- 4 artichokes
- 1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 lemon, halved, plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
- In a large pot, bring 3 quarts of water and 1/4 cup of the salt to a boil.
- Place the artichokes on a cutting board.
- With a sharp chef's knife, trim the stem ends off until the bottom is flat.
- This way, the artichokes can sit upright.
- Cut the top third from each artichoke and discard.
- With kitchen scissors, cut the pointed tip from each of the remaining outer leaves.
- Discard.
- Rub the cut areas with the lemon halves.
- Squeeze any remaining juice from the lemon halves and add the juice to the boiling water along with the juiced lemon halves themselves.
- Using a slotted spoon or skimmer, carefully add the artichokes to the boiling water.
- Top with a heavy pot lid or heat-proof baking dish that will fit inside the pot, so that the weight will keep the artichokes submerged in the water.
- This is a bit tricky.
- Be sure to have an adult help with this.
- Lower the heat and cook at a slow boil until the artichokes are tender, about 20 to 30 minutes.
- With oven mitts or pot holders, carefully remove the lid or weighted dish from the top of the artichokes.
- With a slotted spoon or skimmer, and with a small bowl or dish held underneath to catch the hot water, carefully transfer the artichokes to a colander set in a sink.
- With tongs, turn each artichoke upside down and place in the colander.
- Let drain, inverted, until cool enough to handle.
- To make the lemon-butter sauce, melt the butter over medium heat in a small saucepan.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and the remaining teaspoon of salt, and stir to combine.
- Remove the lemon-butter sauce from the heat and transfer to small dipping bowls to serve with the artichokes.
- Serve the artichokes either warm or cold.
artichokes, salt, lemon, butter
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/simply-delicious-artichokes-recipe.html (may not work)