I steam mine and then eat them with butter or ghee.

Basically, you cut part of the top off so that it will stand flat in about 1/2" water in a pan. Get the water to a simmer and cover for ~20 minutes. It's ready when the center leaves pull out fairly easily (if you've never done this before, try to pull out a center leave before you steam for a comparison). Then you just peel the leaves off one by one, dip the base of them in your butter or ghee and scrape the meat off with your teeth. When you get to the center, the leaves get all wimpy and pointy, so I just pull those off until you get down to the flower. Use a knife to cut the hairy stuff out of the center and you're left with the heart. Cut into eights or quarters and dip in butter. YUM.

I LOVE artichokes.