When you picture royal cuisine, you might imagine lavish feasts featuring roast pheasant or exquisite caviar served in the grandeur of Buckingham Palace. But the reality is often much simpler. King Charles, known for his down-to-earth tastes, has a favourite dish that’s both comforting and easy to prepare at home: Cheesy Baked Eggs.
Clarence House first shared this beloved recipe in 2020, back when Charles was still the Prince of Wales. The dish combines a variety of cheeses with just six other straightforward ingredients to create a rich, satisfying meal.
“Good food undoubtedly brings many of us great comfort,” His Majesty remarked during the challenging days of the Coronavirus pandemic. “It is deeply troubling to know that this crisis threatens one of life’s greatest pleasures – British cheese!”
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If you’re eager to try this royal favourite, here’s how to make it:
Begin by greasing a baking dish, then layer the base with wilted greens and tomatoes arranged around the edges, leaving space in the centre. Next, sprinkle creamy cheese and chopped basil over the vegetables. Add seasoning to taste, and optionally, include some sliced cold cuts for extra flavour.
Season with salt and pepper, then crack an egg into the centre. Pour 80ml of double cream gently around the egg without breaking the yolk. Finish by topping with a generous amount of grated hard cheese.
Bake the dish in a hot oven at 180°C (350°F) for 8 to 10 minutes. Once cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
King Charles isn’t the only royal to enjoy baked eggs. Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Queen Camilla, also considers this dish a family favourite. In his book, Cooking & The Crown, he reveals that baked eggs—also known as Oeufs en Cocotte—have graced royal tables from Queen Victoria’s era to today.
Tom shares, “This dish was a staple of my childhood meals, often enjoyed after holidays when the fridge was nearly empty. My mother would use eggs fresh from our chickens.”
Cooking & The Crown showcases over 100 recipes spanning the reigns of British monarchs, from simple comforts like Cheesy Baked Eggs to traditional delicacies such as ‘Pommes Elizabeth’ and ‘Pudding au Pain et aux Cerises’.