King Charles' quick, favourite breakfast dish recipe explained

What might you imagine the Royal Family indulging in during their meals? Perhaps roasted pheasant, caviar, or lavish banquets within the grandeur of Buckingham Palace?

One recipe from Clarence House suggests that Royal dining doesn't always have to be this extravagant or complex. In fact, there is a simple dish often enjoyed by King Charles that can be easily replicated at home.

The meal, known as 'Cheesy Baked Eggs', was introduced in 2020, when our current monarch was still the Prince of Wales. Representatives for Clarence House's Instagram account claim it can be whipped up using a variety of cheeses and six other ingredients.

"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 keen on trying your hand at Royal cooking, Clarence House recommends gathering the following ingredients:

• Double cream, 80ml
• Torn basil leaves
• Hard grated cheese (for example, Old Winchester), 15g
• One egg
• 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 prepping by greasing a baking dish and layering this with wilted spinach and tomatoes to form a welcoming bed. Nestle these along the dish's perimeter, crafting a central well.

With the foundation set, scatter over the soft cheese and torn-up basil. At this stage, you may choose to include some cold-cut meats, but this is completely optional.

Once you've built the wall, crack an egg into the centre of the well. Next, pour in 80ml of double cream, followed by a sprinkle of grated hard cheese.

"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."

While many components of this dish are considered healthy, spinach is often lauded as a 'nutrient powerhouse' due to its numerous potential benefits. These were highlighted 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."

Many studies suggest a potential link between spinach intake and reduced cancer risk, too. For instance, a 2007 study 'found some evidence' that a higher consumption of spinach correlates with a lower risk of aggressive prostate cancer.

However, more research is needed in this area. Although spinach provides various health benefits, it's also crucial to consume dishes like cheesy baked eggs in moderation, just as with all foods.

Cheese is known for its valuable protein and calcium, but is often high in salt and saturated fat. The British Heart Foundation cautions that these factors could increase 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 portionof 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."

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King Charles isn't the only Royal Family member to enjoy baked eggs. Queen Camilla's son, Tom Parker Bowles, also relishes a similar dish, having enjoyed it frequently during his 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' contains over 100 recipes from Queen Victoria's reign to King Charles III. It features extravagant dishes like 'Pommes Elizabeth' and 'Pudding au Pain et aux Cerises', as well as numerous easy recipes perfect for home chefs.

More information can be found here.