Begin by filling a large pot with enough water to submerge the artichokes completely. You want them to be happy in that boiling bath! Add the sea salt to the water and toss in the lemon slices if you’re using them. The lemon will infuse the water with a tasty citrus twist, perfect for flavoring the artichokes.

While your pot is heating up, take your artichokes and trim off the stems as needed. This ensures they can sit upright without toppling over during cooking. Place the artichokes into the pot once you have enough boiling water at hand. Make sure they're fully submerged!

Cover the pot and crank up the heat to bring it to a full boil. Once it reaches boiling point, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Depending on the size of your artichokes, they will need to cook for about 30 to 70 minutes. You’ll know they are done when you can easily pull a leaf off.

Once cooked to perfection, carefully remove the artichokes from the pot using tongs or a slotted spoon. You don’t want to burn yourself with all that steam! Place them upside-down in a strainer or on a plate to allow any excess water to drain before serving.

As the artichokes drain, let’s whip up that lemon butter! Melt ⅓ cup of salted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Allow it to cool slightly. While it cools, cut the remaining butter into small cubes. Add these cubes to the melted butter gradually while whisking with an electric mixer. Once mixed, add the fresh lemon juice and taste-test for saltiness, adding the sea salt flakes as desired. Place it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.