A Tender Heart
Artichokes are one of my favorite vegetables, but they are something of a handful. As a kid my mom used to serve them steamed whole, alongside a mustardy vinaigrette that we would dip the leaves into and then eat, one by one. It was a slow but rewarding process, and by the time we reached the heart we could truly appreciate its flavor and texture. If you choose not to simply steam artichokes whole like my mother did, their preparation takes patience—but the patience pays off....