The mighty artichoke! Varying in size from enormous to mini, artichokes are easily steamed, boiled, sautéed, broiled, stuffed, fried, and yes, even blended, to make delicate-tasting recipes to celebrate the arrival of spring. There’s a lot more to this seasonal star than that ubiquitous spinach artichoke dip. These prehistoric-looking green globes are actually the buds of a species of thistle and will turn into beautiful purple flowers if left to grow unattended. The outer leaves are tough and fibrous, but the heart and inner leaves are tender, nutty, and delicious. The most popular kind, the globe artichoke can be as large as the palm of your hand, with a sweet, clean flavor and a meaty heart perfect for stuffing or eating steamed. At the market, I always go for the biggest ones I can find. You will also find baby artichokes that have tender leaves and small hearts, less than …