How to prepare artichokes

Artichokes can look a bit intimidating but, have no fear, you can master it. Start by removing the tough leaves from close to the base and trim the stem to about 2cm long (or, on good sized ones, remove the stem completely, so the artichoke will sit flat on its base). Cook in plenty of lightly salted, boiling water or in a steamer, simmer for 15 30 minutes, depending on size and freshness. Just cut artichokes need less cooking to become tender. If you grow your own, cooking them within minutes of cutting reduces the cooking time dramatically to only seven or eight minutes for a small one. The best test to check that it is cooked is when a leaf from the middle pulls away easily and the heart is tender when pierced with a knife.