Bobotie Bowls

"Bobotie is a slow-baked South African sweet-spicy meat casserole that John and I discovered on our honeymoon in Cape Town. This is my '30-Minute Meal version, made entirely on the stove top, which shortens the cooking time. Instead of the lemon leaves used in South Africa, I find that lemon zest does the trick."

Ingredients

1/4 cup sliced almonds (a generous handful)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
2 pounds ground sirloin
1 fresh or dried bay leaf
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
6 peppadew piquante peppers (jarred sweet pickled peppers), drained and finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup golden raisins or currants (a generous handful)
1/2 cup mango chutney
1 cup beef broth
2 tablespoons mild curry paste (such as Pataks brand) or 2 tablespoons curry powder
1 teaspoon turmeric (one-third palmful)
1½ teaspoons ground coriander (half a palmful)
1 teaspoon lemon zest
4 large eggs
1/4 cup half-and-half
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Handful of cilantro leaves or flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped