Artichokes

We got a bunch of fresh artichokes last week. My kids LOVE artichokes, but they are kind of funny to work with if you have never cooked them before. This is how you do it.
1. Trim off the top, and snip off all the thorns off the tips of the leaves.
2. Place them in a steamer basket above boiling water. Add garlic, bay leaves and lemon to the water. cover and steam for 25-45 minutes, until petals easily pull away from the stem.
3. remove from steamer and eat.
-You eat them by pulling off a petal and raking it between your teeth to remove the flesh. Petal ends can be dipped in melted butter or mayo with a little lemon.
-When you get to the middle there is a bristly part, don't eat that, this part is called the choke. After you remove it you can eat the artichoke heart that is beneath it.