Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Bake with Golden Egg Topping

• •1 tablespoon olive oil
• •1 medium onion, finely chopped
• •2 cloves garlic, minced
• •1 lb (450g) ground chicken or turkey
• •1 red bell pepper, diced
• •1 (14.5 oz / 411g) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• •1 teaspoon dried oregano
• •1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• •Pinch of chili powder (optional)
• •Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• •10 oz (280g) fresh spinach
• •2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced or diced
• •4 large eggs
• •1/2 cup milk or half-and-half
• •1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
• •2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

1. 1Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish.
2. 2Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. 3Add the ground chicken or turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned through. Drain any excess fat.
4. 4Stir in the diced red bell pepper, canned diced tomatoes (with their juice), oregano, smoked paprika, and chili powder (if using). Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 10-12 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken slightly.
5. 5While the chicken mixture simmers, add the fresh spinach to the skillet in batches if necessary, stirring until wilted. Remove from heat.
6. 6If using thinly sliced sweet potatoes, you can quickly blanch them in boiling water for 3-4 minutes until slightly tender, then drain well. If dicing, no pre-cooking is usually needed as they'll soften in the bake.
7. 7Spread the cooked sweet potato slices or diced sweet potatoes evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
8. 8Spoon the chicken and vegetable mixture over the sweet potato layer, spreading it out evenly.
9. 9In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk or half-and-half, grated Parmesan cheese, a pinch of salt, and a good grind of black pepper until well combined.
10. 10Carefully pour the egg mixture evenly over the chicken and vegetable layers in the baking dish. You can sprinkle a little extra Parmesan cheese on top if desired.
11. 11Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the egg topping is set and lightly golden brown. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if using.

Did you know that eggs contain all nine essential amino acids, making them a complete protein source? They also provide important vitamins and minerals like Vitamin D and B12, supporting energy and bone health.