Ideally, the smaller the artichoke the better for this recipe and you can eat your heart out - as well as the artichokes.
You'll need:
Good Olive Oil (try basil or a citrus flavored)
dried chili pepper flakes
5-6 small artichokes
water
Mayo, lemon, and garlic for dipping
Wash artichokes well, folding back the leaves like flower metals to remove any trapped dirt. Than cut them in half and place them cut side down in large pan or cooking pot. Add approximately enough water to to fill the pan about 1/4 inch. You don't need a lot of water. Also add 2-3 Tablespoons of olive oils and 1-2 teaspoons of chili flakes. Cover and steam for 10-20 minutes. They should be tender but you don't need to cook the small artichokes very long.
Drain and serve with a little dish of mayo. You can get fancy and add a bit of lemon zest and chopped garlic to dip in.
Bon Appetite. These go great as a side for chicken or beef. Happy Summer!
