Anglesey Eggs

With it being St David’s Day yesterday, I thought it only right to share a Welsh recipe today. This particular recipe is one my Nain (Nain is Welsh for grandmother for those who don’t know) used to make often.

My Nain, who lived on Anglesey, was a fantastic cook; we used to love visiting for the delicate scones, fruity bara brith and melt in the mouth Welsh cakes.

Anglesey Eggs (1)

This recipe was a speciality and we used to eat it with crispy skinned baked potatoes. I didn’t have time for baked potatoes today, so we had it with crusty bread rolls instead to mop up the cheesy sauce.

Anyway, my Nain gave this recipe to my mum, who also used to make it often throughout our childhood. When I was desparate for a comforting, nostalgic meal one day I asked her for the recipe – and now I’m sharing it with you. It is tasty, cheap and easy, and I hope you enjoy it as much as my family has.

I just googled ‘Anglesey Eggs’ to see if it is a well-known dish, and it seems others do know of it. The recipes I found had potato in them though – that’s not how our family make it!

If you like this recipe, you may also enjoy my Welsh Style Potato Dauphinoise (Potato au Gratin) – give them a go!

This will serve 3-4 and takes around 40 minutes to make.

Anglesey Eggs (3)

Anglesey Eggs FAQ

What are Anglesey Eggs?

Anglesey eggs are a Welsh vegetarian dish with boiled eggs, leeks, cheese sauce and sometimes a base of mashed potatoes. They are from the island of Anglesey, off the coast of North Wales.

Are Anglesey Eggs easy to make?

Yes! Anglesey eggs are very easy to make. They take an hour (more if using a mashed potato base) but are straightforward. They comprise of boiled eggs, leeks and a cheese sauce made from a roux.

What meal would you eat them for?

This is a very versatile dish and would work well for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Anglesey Eggs

Save This Recipe
Harriet Young
A traditional Welsh dish, from my family to yours!
5
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Welsh
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 3 medium leeks
  • 6 eggs
  • 30 g butter
  • 20 g plain flour
  • 1 pint milk
  • 80 g cheddar cheese grated (or Caerphilly cheese, if you can get it)
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the grill to high.
  • Slice the leeks and add them to a frying pan with 10g of the butter. Saute over a medium heat for 5-6 minutes until soft.
  • Meanwhile, hard boil your eggs in boiling water for 6 minutes. Once they’re done, run them under the cold tap for a couple of minutes, then gently peel them.
  • For the sauce, melt the remaining butter in a saucepan then stir in the flour. Cook for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat. Gradually whisk in the milk, then put it back on the heat and cook, whisking all the time, until thick. Stir in most of the grated cheese, and some salt and pepper.
  • Transfer the leeks to an oven proof dish. Lay the eggs on top (keep them whole), then pour over the cheese sauce. Sprinkle over the remaining cheese and the smoked paprika, then put under the grill for 5 minutes or so until golden and boiling. Iechyd Da!
Keyword cheese, eggs, leeks, welsh

45 responses to “Anglesey Eggs”

  1. Wonderful recipe Harriet, I just love family recipes. This really is a comfort food recipe and I can imagine how delicious it is with crisp skin potatoes.

    1. I agree, family recipes are the best aren’t they?

  2. This has pretty much every single one of my favorite comfort foods (if you include those crispy potatoes). Can wait to try it!

    1. Oops… *cant wait to try it! 🙂

    2. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂

  3. What alovely brunch recipe, that looks so creamy and rich.

  4. Oh I had forgotten about Anglesey Eggs, I used to make them a lot and don’t know why I stopped. I thought they had potatoes in too but baked potatoes sounds much better! Aren’t family recipes the best? X

    1. I completely agree, there’s something wonderful about a meal that not only tastes good but also fills your mind with happy memories! x

  5. These look amazing. I am an absolute egg fiend so this is right up my street!

  6. Now I’m hungry… and I don’t have leeks! 🙁 …but I definitely have to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing it!

  7. Y U M – total comfort food heaven right there! Perfect for this chilly weather, too.

  8. This looks amazing!!!! WOW!

  9. this looks like my next brunch. weekend: get here stat.

  10. This looks really good!! YUM! I don’t think that I ever had anything welsh before.. Maybe some kind of cookies? I lived in Bristol for a while when I went to uni haha and visited Cardiff a few times 🙂

    1. Give it a go – Welsh food is lovely!

  11. Mae’n edrych yn dda! I’ll be trying them this week. 😉

  12. These look delicious, I am definitely giving them a try 🙂

  13. I’ve never had this! I’m from South Wales, but never even seen it. Clearly been missing out! Going to have to try 🙂 Thanks!

  14. These look yummy! I’ll have to try them soon!

  15. […] year, in the UK as we approach Spring, they will start to go out of season soon. So, along with my Anglesey Eggs last night, I wanted to produde a few recipes which would celebrate this wonderful, underrated […]

  16. Dear Welsh cousin, I can hear your wonderful accent in your writing; I cannot wait to try this. what are the wee breads I can see in the picture? Anyhoo, what a great idea for tea! 😉

    1. I hope you enjoy it! The bread is just little bread rolls – warmed in the oven a little to make them nice and crispy. Not made by me unfortunately!

  17. This looks seriously yummie! I’ll bookmark it and give it a go. Thanks, Harriet!

  18. Hi Harriet,I love the sound of your recipe for Anglesey Eggs. Must confess I’d never heard of them before – but they reminded me of a favourite luncheon dish of my mum’s. Same eggs with the cheese sauce but with asparagus not leek.
    I’d forgotten all about this dish, but I used to adore it! Now I’m going to make myself your lovely recipe. Thank you. Mimsey

  19. I try to eat a lot of eggs and this will be a great addition to my collection. Thanks!

    1. That didn’t come out right 🙂 I try to eat eggs often and so I am always looking to add variety!

  20. This looks like an amazing brunch dish. Family recipes are so special. Automatically taste better. I’ve never had Anglesey Eggs, can’t wait to give em a try.

  21. What a recipe – I have this one on my list for when I see some bargain leeks!

  22. Oh my….these look so delicious!!!!!

  23. Wow! This looks really delish.

  24. […] idea for the Welsh dauphinoise potatoes came from a recent dinner of Anglesey eggs. Anglesey eggs are fab – boiled eggs with leeks in a cheese sauce. They’re so […]

  25. […] year, in the UK as we approach Spring, they will start to go out of season soon. So, along with my Anglesey Eggs last night, I wanted to produde a few recipes which would celebrate this wonderful, underrated […]

  26. 5 stars
    This was such a great way to serve eggs. This was perfect for a family brunch.

  27. 5 stars
    This looks like total comfort food! Can’t wait to try it soon!

  28. 5 stars
    The combination of creamy mashed potatoes, savory leeks, and hard-boiled eggs is simply delicious. The addition of a cheesy topping takes it to the next level. Definitely a comfort food winner!

  29. 5 stars
    This dish sounds delicious! I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for sharing!

  30. 5 stars
    I made these eggs yesterday and they were incredible! So creamy and delicious!

  31. 5 stars
    This is amazing – thank you so much for sharing!

  32. 5 stars
    This recipe was delicious! So glad that I gave it a try.

  33. 5 stars
    I had never had this until now. Boy oh boy was it good! Thank you for the recipe!

  34. 5 stars
    I loved the creamy mashed potatoes, savory smoked haddock, and flavorful cheese sauce. It was so easy to make and my family absolutely devoured it. Definitely adding this to our regular dinner rotation!

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