The first step is to wash the artichoke. You can do this under the tap or by filling a bowl with cold water. You can take the leaves apart to get rid of the dirt. When you have finished the washing, you can dry the artichoke with a tea towel.
The second step is to remove the stray leaves from the stem. You can use a knife. After removing the stray you need to remove the tips from the leaves. Use a scissor.
Take a sharp knife and cut 2,5 cm off the top. You can remove the stem of the artichoke. Use lemon to rub the stem if you have a bit of stem left.
The next step is to start peeling off the external leaves. When the leaves have a white color at the base you can stop peeling. Normally it is between 4 and 6 layers.
Take a sharp knife and slice off the green leaves. The remaining is the white bottom.
Cut off the leaves that are still remaining. You will notice you have reached the center. It looks hairy. Remove the hairy part and after that start rubbing it with lemon.
If there are remaining parts of leaves use a knife to remove them. After this the heart is clean and ready for cooking!