Steamed artichokes are almost effortless to prepare, making them an easy appetizer or starter. Allow 1/2 to 1 whole artichoke per person. A pressure cooker speeds up the process.

If you've never eaten steamed artichokes, the normal procedure is to break off the leaves one-by-one. Use your teeth to pull out the edible interior from the wide, fleshy bottom of each leaf. Vinaigrette, flavored mayonnaise or Hollandaise Sauce can be offered as dips for the leaves.

When all of the leaves have been removed, the exposed fuzzy choke can be scraped away to reveal the heart. The entire bottom and heart are then edible.