Baked Eggs with Artichokes

This is a common dish in the southwest of France and, in Italy, the identical preparation is known as a Florentine specialty. It is, essentially, an omelet that, because it is started out in a cold dish, sticks. Its uniqueness depends on a juxtaposition of flavors and textures—the crispness and nutty taste of the golden fried artichokes baked into the mass of creamy, barely set eggs—that can be obtained in no other way.

The size of the dish is important to the success of this prepar