The British royal family fascinates people around the world. And while the traditions and ceremonies are unique, it’s the actual family members that fans are interested in learning more about. From hit Netflix shows to Princess Diana’s timeless fashion inspiration to Prince William and the future of the monarchy, it’s no wonder that people always want to learn more about this family.
However, there are many questions as to what the family’s day-to-day life looks like. Over the years, some information has come out regarding the meals the royal family enjoys. It’s been reported thatPrincess Diana enjoyed overnight oats for breakfast. And the dish served at Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation is now a British classic.
In more recent history, it’s been revealed what King Charles III enjoys eating, specifically for breakfast. And surprisingly, it’s very easy to make.
King Charles’s Cheesy Baked Eggs
About five years ago, Clarence House, a royal residence in London, shared a recipe on Twitter—one of the (then) Prince of Wales’ favorite recipes: Cheesy Baked Eggs. And now, as a king, we have no doubt he still enjoys this dish because a couple of years ago, former royal chef Darren McGrady made the breakfast item on his YouTube channel, sharing that King Charles has a very different palate in comparison to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
“The queen loved chocolate—dark chocolate,” he says in the video. “The darker chocolate, the better. Anything chocolate. Whereas King Charles loves cheese. He could live on cheese; he absolutely loves cheese, and he also loves eggs.”
We love cheese and eggs, too—especially as scrambled eggs. And so do a lot of celebrities, from Oprah to Jennifer Garner and Ina Garten to Stanley Tucci. But Cheesy Baked Eggs isn’t a scramble.
The recipe is similar to a breakfast bake, such as a breakfast sausage or overnight breakfast casserole. However, King Charles’ recipe is a little more elevated as prosciutto is used on top. The presentation of the dish is also elegant, making the breakfast look perfect for a royal meal. However, the recipe itself is straightforward and consists of simple ingredients: spinach, tomato, and, of course, cheese and eggs.
How To Make King Charles’ Cheesy Baked Eggs
In the video, Chef McGrady explains that he uses three types of cheese, including two hard and one soft cheese. He uses Cornish Brie, English Red Leicester, and Montgomery Cheddar, but explains that any Brie and matured Cheddar will work perfectly. McGrady grates the English Red Leicester and Montgomery Cheddar and sets it to the side.
The chef then explains he made some wilted spinach for the dish by simply stirring fresh spinach in a warmed pan with olive oil until it was just wilted. He warns not to “overcook [the spinach] because it’s going to go in the oven underneath the eggs and we don’t want [the spinach] overcooked and mushy.”
Next, McGrady recalls that King Charles “loved Italian food,” so it was no surprise to him that prosciutto is included in the dish, which he has prepared in smaller pieces. (Cooked bacon can also be used as a substitute.) He then chops up two heirloom tomatoes and tears a few leaves of fresh basil into small pieces. Once completed, he begins to assemble the dish.
McGrady says that the dish can be made for as many people as you need by simply spreading out the eggs around a casserole dish. In the video, he uses one egg in a smaller baking dish for a single serving. The chef does not grease the dish before placing the wilted spinach on the bottom, as the spinach is already covered in olive oil. He makes a well in the middle of the spinach, as this is where the egg will go at the end.
McGrady sprinkles the chopped tomato, basil, and pieces of prosciutto onto the spinach, making sure none goes into the well in the center. After, he cracks an egg into the well, followed by a sprinkling of the three cheeses on top of the veggies and egg. Finally, he finishes by pouring cream on top of the whole dish. McGrady notes to “be really careful when you’re pouring [the cream] onto the egg yolk because we don’t want the egg yolk to split.”
He pops the dish in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes, as the egg needs to cook. When the dish is done, McGrady notes it is important to let it cool for at least two minutes.
The finished breakfast dish looks cheesy, decadent, and scrumptious. No wonder King Charles loves it so much. I am officially adding this recipe to my cooking bucket list to try immediately.