When you think of the Royal Family's dining habits, images of roast pheasant or caviar in Buckingham Palace may come to mind. However, a recipe from Clarence House reveals that royal cuisine can be simple and accessible. King Charles, then Prince of Wales, shared his Cheesy Baked Eggs recipe in 2020 during the pandemic, offering a comforting dish that can be made at home.
Ingredients for King Charles' Cheesy Baked Eggs
Clarence House recommends gathering the following ingredients:
- Double cream, 80ml
- Torn basil leaves
- Hard grated cheese (e.g., Old Winchester), 15g
- One egg
- Optional: charcuterie or cold-cut meats
- One cherry tomato or sundried tomatoes
- Wilted spinach, 100g
- Soft cheese (e.g., Tunworth, Gold Cenarth), 35g
Preparation Steps
Start by greasing a baking dish and lining it with wilted greens and tomatoes to create an attractive base. Arrange these around the edges, leaving a well in the center. Scatter the creamy cheese and chopped basil over the base. Add seasoning and optional sliced cold cuts. Crack an egg into the center well, season with salt and pepper, pour 80ml of double cream around the yolk, and top with grated hard cheese.
Bake in a hot oven at 180°C for 8-10 minutes. Let it stand for a few minutes before serving.
Royal Family's Love for Baked Eggs
King Charles isn't the only royal who enjoys baked eggs. Tom Parker Bowles, Queen Camilla's son, recalls this dish from his childhood. In his book Cooking & The Crown, he writes: "Baked eggs, also known as Oeufs en Cocotte, have long been a staple of the royal table, from Queen Victoria to the present day. This was a favorite dish from my childhood, usually devoured when we returned home from holidays."
The book features over 100 recipes from Queen Victoria's era to King Charles III, including both lavish and simple dishes.
