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
Remove any small tough outer leaves
Rub cut surfaces with lemon to prevent browning
Fill a pot with water and add salt and lemon
Place a steamer basket in the pot
Bring the water to a boil
Put the artichokes in the steamer basket
Cover the pot
Steam for 25 to 45 minutes until a leaf pulls off easily
Remove the artichokes from the pot
Let them cool slightly
Serve with melted butter, aioli, or lemon juice