Rinse the artichoke under cold water
Trim the stem if needed
Cut off the top inch of the artichoke
Snip the sharp tips of the outer leaves if desired
Rub cut surfaces with lemon to prevent browning
Fill a pot with 1 to 2 inches of water
Add a steamer basket if available
Place the artichoke in the pot stem-side down
Cover the pot with a lid
Steam over medium heat for 25 to 45 minutes
Check doneness by pulling off an outer leaf
Cook until the leaf pulls off easily and the base is tender
Remove from the pot and let cool slightly
Serve with melted butter, lemon juice, or dipping sauce