Appetizer: Steamed Artichoke with Spicy Lemon Butter

Steamed Artichoke with Spicy Lemon Butter:

1 artichoke head
4 tbsp butter
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice
4 lemon wedges
2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 tsp garlic, finely chopped
1 bay leaf

Start by boiling water in a large dutch oven (about two inches high). Take your artichoke, using a knife, cut off about 1/2 off the top. Then 1/4 inch off of each tip of the leaves (so they don't poke anyone). Then cut off any little leaves towards the bottom.

Place the artichoke in the pot of boiling water and add 1 of the garlic cloves, lemon wedges, and bay leaf to the water as well. Reduce the heat to a medium-low simmer and cover. Let the artichoke cook for about 25 minutes or until the outer leaves come off easily.

Once it's done heat up the butter and add the lemon juice, red pepper flakes, garlic, salt and pepper and stir together. Serve with the artichoke leaves: pull off the leaves one at a time and arrange them nicely on a serving platter. Once you get down to the center of the artichoke, spoon out the fuzzy stuff completely, cut off the stem, and cut the inner part up into bite sized pieces (you can eat that are well).You can also serve as is and let your guests peel them off themselves.