Steaming a fresh Artichoke is ideal for retaining all the vitamins and nutrients that can be lost by boiling.
First, place a steaming basket in a large pot and fill the pot with water until it reaches just under the basket.
Place one layer of rinsed and trimmed Artichokes into the steaming basket with Artichoke stems facing up; cover with lid.
On high heat, bring the water in the steaming pot to a boil. Steam Artichokes until they are tender. Cooking time can vary, depending on the size of the Artichokes. A good approximation is 30 minutes for a Medium-sized Artichoke or 45 minutes for a Jumbo-sized Artichoke.
You will know the Artichokes are cooked when a sharp knife goes through the Artichoke base with ease. If the knife goes through with ease (similar to a baked potato), your Artichoke is perfectly cooked and ready to eat.
Don't forget you can do many things with a cooked Artichoke to add flavor, such as stuff or finish them off on the grill. They also store for several days in the fridge!
