When you picture royal meals, you might imagine elaborate feasts with luxurious ingredients served in palatial surroundings. However, King Charles proves that royal cuisine can be delightfully simple and comforting.
Clarence House revealed a cherished recipe known as “Cheesy Baked Eggs,” which King Charles enjoyed even before his reign. Originally shared in 2020, this dish combines a handful of accessible ingredients with a rich, cheesy twist, making it perfect for a home-cooked treat.
Addressing the nation during the challenging days of the Coronavirus pandemic, King Charles highlighted the importance of good food, saying, “One thing that undoubtedly brings many of us great comfort is good food.” He also expressed concern about the pandemic’s impact on British cheese producers, emphasizing the cultural value of this beloved ingredient.
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To prepare this royal favourite, gather the following ingredients: leafy greens, tomatoes, a mix of creamy and hard cheeses, fresh basil, eggs, cold cuts (optional), double cream, salt, and pepper.
Begin by greasing a baking dish and layering it with wilted greens and tomatoes around the edges, leaving a space in the centre. Add chopped basil and sprinkle creamy cheese evenly, then season with salt and pepper. For added flavour, include some sliced cold cuts if you wish.
Carefully crack an egg into the central space and pour 80ml of double cream over it – be gentle to keep the yolk intact. Finish with a generous sprinkle of grated hard cheese on top.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 8 to 10 minutes, until the egg white is set and the cheese is golden and bubbling. Let it rest briefly before serving.
King Charles is not alone in his fondness for baked eggs. Tom Parker Bowles, son of Queen Camilla, also cherishes this dish from his childhood. In his book Cooking & The Crown, Tom describes baked eggs—or “Oeufs en Cocotte”—as a longstanding staple within the royal family, enjoyed from Queen Victoria’s era to today.
Tom recalls that baked eggs were often a go-to meal after holidays, when refrigerators were bare, and his mother would use fresh eggs from their chickens. His cookbook offers a rich collection of royal recipes, ranging from indulgent to straightforward dishes like this one.
This Cheesy Baked Eggs recipe is an easy yet elegant way to bring a taste of royal cooking to your table, blending simple ingredients with heartfelt tradition.