King Charles' Breakfast Treat That Also Delights Queen Camilla's Son

What do you picture the Royal Family savouring during meals? Maybe roasted pheasant, caviar, or lavish banquets in the grandeur of Buckingham Palace?

A recipe from Clarence House indicates that royal dining doesn't always have to be this extravagant or intricate. In reality, there is one straightforward dish that King Charles often enjoys, which you can effortlessly make at home.

The breakfast known as 'Cheesy Baked Eggs' was revealed in 2020, at a time when our current monarch held the title of Prince of Wales. Representatives for Clarence House's Instagram claim it can be prepared using various cheeses along with six additional ingredients.

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"One thing that undoubtedly brings many of us great comfort is good food," His Majesty said during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic. He added: "It is, therefore, deeply troubling to learn that this crisis risks destroying one of the most wonderful joys in life – British cheese!"

If you're interested in trying your hand at royal cooking, Clarence House recommends gathering the following ingredients:

• Hard grated cheese (for example, Old Winchester), 15g
• One egg
• Double cream, 80ml
• Torn basil leaves
• Optional: charcuterie/cold-cut meats
• One cherry tomato or sundried tomatoes
• Wilted spinach, 100g
• Soft cheese (for instance, Tunworth, Gold Cenarth or other strong soft cheese), 35g

Begin by greasing a small ovenproof dish, before layering it with wilted spinach and chopped tomatoes or sundried tomatoes. Arrange these ingredients along the edges of the dish, creating a small well in the centre.

Next, layer the soft cheese and torn basil leaves over the current tomato-spinach wall. At this point, you may optionally include some cold-cut meats.

After building the wall, crack an egg into the centre of the well. Pour 80ml of double cream over it, then sprinkle some grated hard cheese on top.

"Place in a hot oven (180C) for eight to 10 minutes," instructions from Clarence House continue. "Let it stand for a few minutes before eating."

Although many ingredients in this dish are regarded as healthy, spinach stands out as a 'powerhouse' of nutrients because of its many potential benefits. These were underscored by Helen Bell, a nutrition expert at Help & Advice , who previously told the Express : "Spinach is indeed known for its potential benefits in managing high blood pressure. It is rich in nitrates, which can help dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure.

"I have often recommended incorporating spinach into diets for individuals looking to manage their blood pressure naturally. Aside from this, spinach is a powerhouse of nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and calcium. Its antioxidant properties make it beneficial for overall health and well-being."

Numerous studies indicate a possible connection between spinach consumption and lower cancer risk. A 2007 study, for example, 'found some evidence' that the risk of aggressive prostate cancer decreased with increasing spinach consumption.

Nonetheless, further investigation in this field is necessary. While spinach offers several benefits, it's also important to remember that, like all foods, cheesy baked eggs should be consumed in moderation.

Although cheese is recognised for its beneficial protein and calcium content, it tends to be high in salt and saturated fat. The British Heart Foundation warns that these characteristics may elevate the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

"You don't have to cut cheese out of your diet, but if you have high cholesterol or blood pressure, use high-fat cheeses sparingly," its spokespeople wrote in a previous online blog. "A 30g portion of cheese provides seven per cent of your daily calories and there can be more salt in a portion of cheddar than in a packet of crisps."

King Charles shares his fondness for baked eggs with other Royal Family members. Queen Camilla's son, Tom Parker Bowles, has also enjoyed this dish frequently since childhood.

"Baked eggs, also known as Oeufs en Cocotte, have long been a staple of the royal table, from Queen Victoria to the present day," he wrote in his recently published book, Cooking & The Crown.

He continued: "This was also a favourite dish from my childhood, usually devoured when we returned home from our holidays, when the fridge and larder were bare. My mother would use eggs from our chickens."

Tom's book 'Cooking & The Crown' offers more than 100 recipes spanning from Queen Victoria's era to King Charles III. It presents luxurious dishes such as 'Pommes Elizabeth' and 'Pudding au Pain et aux Cerises', alongside a variety of simpler recipes suitable for home cooking.

More information can be found here .