Artichoke Soup

Benefits of Artichokes:
Helps in production of bile in liver, good for digestion and cleansing of body toxins. Also, good for heart.
(In Artichokes, the edible and most nutritious part is the centre called the heart )

Ingredients:

• Artichoke Hearts: 6-7 pieces (steamed/ boiled) (I used tinned artichokes)
• Vegetable Stock: 1 cup 
• Salt: to taste
• Black Pepper pwd: to taste
• Butter: 1-2 tbsp

Method:

1. Steaming the artichoke: 


• Cut off the artichoke from the top (cut almost an inch) with a knife.
• Cut off the base/tail (cut 3/4th tail ) of artichoke with a knife and clip the tips(sharp/pointed tips) of the leaves with scissor. Wash it properly with cold water.
•  Rub half the lemon everywhere you clipped the tips, so the leaves don't turn brown too quickly.
• Steam the artichoke (put it upside down, that is, keep the tail part up ) in steamer for 10-15 mins or pressure cook for 10 mins. (You can add a lemon slice in water while boiling)
• Put knife in the artichoke, if it goes easily and the leaves can be easily pulled out- then it is cooked. Cook for some more time, if not done.
• Remove the leaves and the fibrous part surrounding the heart at the base. (you can eat the leaves by scrapping out the inside portion of each leaf with your teeth and throw the rest (as you eat drumstick))
• Take out the heart (small centre part at the base)
2. Vegetable Stock ( I boiled 7-8 florets of broccoli and green beans with a little water and then blended it.)
3. Heat artichoke hearts with vegetable stock for 5 mins.
4. Add salt, pepper and butter. 
5. Serve hot.