Tom Parker Bowles has revealed a simple Royal Family breakfast recipe that his mother, Queen Camilla, frequently prepared in ‘huge quantities’ every December. Lovingly coined ‘buttered eggs’ by Princess Margaret, the dish comprises four main ingredients and is quick to prepare, taking just 10 to 20 minutes.
In his latest book, ‘ Cooking & The Crown ‘, Tom said the dish has become a ‘Boxing Day staple’, while stating that he’d ‘never eaten a finer egg’. “Another favourite growing up, my mother, Queen Camilla seemed to be able to make huge quantities of these, with the minimum fuss,” he wrote.
“It was also a Boxing Day staple – some (relatively) light relief, usually made with our own eggs, that always seem to taste better than any other on earth… Princess Margaret didn’t like the word ‘scrambled’ and insisted on calling them ‘buttered eggs’, which certainly has an appealing burr.”
For those keen to try making this at home, Tom suggests sourcing four eggs, a block of salted butter, smoked salmon, and some bread to serve two people.
To start, whisk the eggs with a hint of salt and pepper – don’t overdo it, just until they’re ‘well mixed’. Next, heat 30g of butter in a pan until it begins to foam.
The key to this recipe, as Tom humorously points out, is to cook the eggs on a low heat to avoid them taking on the texture of ‘wall insulator’. Once the pan is ready, add the eggs and stir continuously with a wooden spoon until they appear cooked but still slightly runny, reports the Daily Record.
At this stage, incorporate some smoked salmon and a touch more seasoning before serving on buttered bread or toast – Tom suggests using brown bread. And there you have it!
What’s even better is that Tom’s recipe isn’t just delicious, but it could also offer significant health benefits.
In a recent report by the Mirror, Helen Bell, a nutritionist at the UK Care Guide, explained that eggs are protein-rich and could potentially aid in weight loss. She said: “In my experience, consuming eggs as a snack can actually be quite beneficial for weight loss. Eggs are high in protein, which helps to increase satiety and keep you feeling fuller for longer.
“This can reduce the overall calorie intake throughout the day. But, it’s important to watch portion sizes and prepare them in a healthy way, like boiling or poaching, to avoid adding unnecessary fats.”
A trip to Asda revealed that the four main ingredients for Tom’s egg recipe can be purchased for as little as £9.69, which works out to £4.84 per serving. This total includes: smoked salmon (£3.50), organic eggs (£2.50), butter (£1.89) and brown bread (£1.80).