Golden Egg-Crusted Paella Bake

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it's ready when you need it.

2. Brown Meats

Pour 3 to 4 tablespoons of olive oil into a wide ovenproof casserole and set it over medium heat. Add the pork spareribs or loin chops, sausages, and chicken drumsticks, and brown them evenly for about 20 minutes.

3. Prepare Stock

While the meats are browning, place your stock (or water with bouillon cubes) in a saucepan and bring it to a boil.

4. Add Tomatoes and Spices

Once the meats are beautifully browned, add the chopped tomatoes to the casserole. Season with salt, pepper, and pimentón dulce or sweet paprika. Let everything cook together for about 5 minutes.

5. Add Rice and Chickpeas

Stir in the rice and chickpeas, if using. Pour in the boiling stock and return the browned meats to the casserole. Season again with a bit more salt. Stir everything well and bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.

6. Bake in Oven

Transfer the casserole to your preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes.

7. Add Eggs and Finish Baking

After 15 minutes, take the casserole out and pour the lightly beaten eggs over the top. Sprinkle a little salt over the eggs, then return the casserole to the oven for another 15 minutes until the eggs are set into a golden crust.

8. Rest and Serve

Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.