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