Steamed Artichokes

STEAMED ARTICHOKES

Ingredients:

4 artichokes

8 cloves of garlic thinly sliced

Fresh black pepper

1/8 cup olive oil

Directions:

Cut the stem from the base of the artichoke so it is flat.

Also trim the top of the artichoke so that you can separate the leaves slightly.

Insert sliced garlic between the leaves of the artichoke.

Place the artichokes in a pan with about half an inch of water.

Pepper the artichokes with black pepper (you can add cayenne if your taste runs that way).

Then drizzle with olive oil.

Cover the pot and let it simmer on very low heat until the artichoke leaves are tender and can be pulled away easily.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

EATING AN ARTICHOKE

To properly eat an artichoke, you pull each leaf away from the core and scrape the soft part with your teeth. Do not eat the leaf!

When no leaves remain, remove the part that looks like rough hair - DO NOT EAT THIS!!

What remains looks like a soft saucer shape. This is the delicacy. It should melt in your mouth with a wonderful savory flavor.