Louisa Shafia is the author of the acclaimed cookbook, The New Persian Kitchen!

serves 2 as a main course

1 lemon
2 globe artichokes
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon dried mint
1/4 cup grapeseed oil
1 clove garlic, finely minced
Sea salt
2 ounces ricotta cheese, drained
Pinch of saffron, ground and steeped in 1 tablespoon hot water
Grated zest of 1 lemon
1 egg, whisked
Freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
2. Fill a medium bowl three-quarters full with cold water. Cut the lemon in half, squeeze the juice into the water, and throw in the rind.
3. Slice off the top third of 1 artichoke with a serrated knife, and cut off the stem to make a flat base. Pull off the small leaves around the bottom, and snip the tips of the remaining leaves with scissors. Stretch open the center of the artichoke with your thumbs, and pluck out the inner yellow leaves. Pull out the purple choke, and scrape out the fibrous hairs with a melon baller, a grapefruit spoon, or a paring knife. Place it in the lemon water to prevent browning, and repeat with the remaining artichoke.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk the lemon juice with the mint, oil, and garlic. Add a pinch of salt, and set aside for a few minutes to allow the mint to soften.
5. Whisk together the ricotta, saffron, and lemon zest in a small bowl, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix in the egg. Spoon the ricotta into the center of the artichokes.
6. Place the artichokes in a rimmed baking dish. Pour the mint oil over the artichokes, drizzling it on the outer leaves as well as the filling. Add a splash of water to the baking dish, and cover tightly. Roast the artichokes for 11/2 hours, until the flesh is very tender and the ricotta is firm and doubled in size.
7. Serve warm, topped with the pan juice. To eat an artichoke, pull off the leaves and dip the fleshy part in the pan juice. When you reach the center, cut into the ricotta and the artichoke heart with a fork.

process photos by Louisa Shafia, final shot is from New Persian Kitchen and was shot by Sara Remington