Recipe(tried): The BEST artichoke dipping sauce

This is fast and easy and so loved that even my lazy 15 year old will get up to make the sauce if there are left over artichokes!

Cut heads off 4 or 5 large, firm artichoke (squeek when squeezed means they're fresh) and trim stems to 2" (or where soft) and trim leaves with scissors. The steam in a LARGE steamer, in 1 C water (0r more - it evaporates quickly so you may need to add more water) seasoned with a sliced lemon and 2 Tlbs. Italian Herbs blend - just until sharp cooking fork inserted in the stem will enter easily...do NOT allow artichokes to get mushy. I steam approximately 14 minutes.

Then make the sauce with:
1 Cup Mayonnaise (Best Foods regular NOT low fat) stirred until smooth before adding other ingredients

3 Tbsp. Homade Chili Sauce (round bottle at almost all grocery stores)

juice of 1 large lemon - RIPE (yellow and a bit soft makes a huge difference in the flavor)

1 tsp. Chilli Garlic Sauce (in the oriental section of the grocery store Lee Kum Kee is a common brand)

2 tsp. Tamari (an aged soy sauce, milder flavor than soy and less salty)(terrific on steamed vegies...melt butter until lightly browned add Tamari and tilt pan back and forth to carmelize and turn off heat immediately)

Mix all together, allow to chill in refrigerator for at least an hour while artichokes come to room temperature. This sauce is also great on a shrimp salad, crudities or a roast beef sandwich! ENJOY!