Instructions: 1. Wash and gently scrub the artichokes under cook, running water. If they have just come out of the refrigerator, let them until they warm to room temperature, about an hour.

2. Put just enough cold water to cover the artichokes in a kettle that will comfortably hold them. Turn on the heat to medium-high and bring the water to a boil.

3. Throw in a small handful of salt and add the artichokes. Let the water return to biling and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer, uncovered, until they are to the level of tenderness that the individual recipe requires. To eath them plain or in salads, they should be just tender and may take as little as 10 minutes ; for creamed, or mashed, artichokes, they should be as soft as boiled potatoes and may take as long as half an hour.

4. Drain them well and serve warm with lots of melted butter following a recipe for mashed potatoes.

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