Stand prepared artichoke in deep saucepan or pot with 3 inches boiling water. (If desired, oil, lemon juice and seasonings can be added to cooking water.)
Cover and boil gently 25 to 40 minutes, depending on size, or until petal near the center pulls out easily.
Stand artichoke upside down on a rack to drain.
Steam
Place prepared artichoke on a rack above an inch or two of boiling water.
Cover and steam 25 to 45 minutes, depending on size, or until a petal near the center pulls out easily.
Pressure Cooking
Stand prepared artichokes on a rack in the pressure cooker.
Add one cup of water and seasonings as desired.
Seal the cooker, let the pressure rise, lower and let cook for 13 minutes.
Cool the cooker under cold running water.
Alternately, follow your cooker's instructions for artichokes.
Microwave
For one:
Set one medium sized prepared artichoke upside down in a small glass bowl (a 2 cup measure will do) with ¼ cup water, ½ teaspoon each lemon juice and ½ teaspoon oil.
Cover with plastic wrap.
Cook on high 6 to 7 minutes.
Test for doneness by piercing the bottom of the artichoke with a toothpick. It should feel like a baked potato. If you feel a hard spot, cook for another minutes and test again.
Let stand covered 5 minutes after cooking.
Alternately, place the prepared artichoke in a small glass bowl or cup bottom down with ½ cup water and a ½ teaspoon lemon juice and ½ teaspoon oil, cover with plastic wrap and cook on high 6 to seven minutes. Test for doneness by pulling a petal out. If it comes off easily, the artichoke is done. If not, cook for another minute and test again.
For two:
Place prepared artichokes in a glass bowl or pie plate.
Add ½ cup water, ½ teaspoon lemon juice and ½ teaspoon oil.
Cook on high 7 to 10 minutes.
Test as above.
*Please note that your microwave may be more or less powerful than ours and you may have to adjust the time up or down according to the power of your oven. Follow the manufacturer's directions for cooking artichokes.