Artichoke Nirvana

Directions

1. 1
   Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. 2
   Add onion, garlic powder, steak seasoning, celery salt, lemon pepper, salt, and pepper.
3. 3
   Rinse artichoke and cut tough part of stem off.
4. 4
   Using a serrated knife, cut the top 1/3 of the artichoke off, and discard.
5. 5
   If necessary, use scissors to trim any remaining excessively sharp points off of remaining leaves.
6. 6
   Drop artichoke into boiling seasoned water, stem end down, but making sure all cut ends have been exposed to the lemony water, so they don't oxidize and turn brown.
7. 7
   Cover pot and simmer until a sharp knife inserted into the center of the stem comes out gently and the stem is tender (30-45 minutes, depending on size of the artichoke).
8. 8
   Remove artichoke from water using tongs, and drain, upside down.
9. 9
   Cool for 5 minutes, until cool enough to handle.
10. 10
    While choke is cooling, pour low-fat Italian dressing into a small container, cover, and microwave for ~30 seconds, until warm.
11. 11
    Using a sharp spoon or melon-baller, scoop the hair-like choke and undeveloped inner leaves out of the center of the artichoke; scraping until the meaty heart is exposed.
12. 12
    Peel off leaves, dipping into warm dressing, and scraping the meaty part of the leaves against your teeth.
13. 13
    The remaining heart and tender stem are worth the effort and wait!