It may seem obvious to some but many people have had their minds blown in the last few days as the inspiration behind a certain chicken dish and the historic event for which it was invented has resurfaced in the lead up to King Charles' coronation on Saturday, May 6.
Coronation chicken is a creamy meat and curry-like dish that, alongside chicken, has unique additions such as dried apricot (although now it is usually replaced by sultanas) flaked almonds and creme fraiche mixed in with a curry powder - made from scratch rather than a pre-made paste - that can be used in salads, rices and sandwiches.
It was the brainchild of florist and author Constance Spry and chef Rosemary Hume and became the signature dish of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953. It is described by Le Cordon Bleu London, which was tasked with creating the coronation menu all those years ago, as 'chicken, boned and coated in curry cream sauce, with, one end of each dish, a well-seasoned dressed salad of rice, green peas and pimentos'.
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The original name of the dish is Poulet Reine Elizabeth and it's speculated to have been inspired by the meal served at the late queen's father George V's silver jubilee in 1935, at which jubilee chicken (ie chicken with mayonnaise and curry) was the main staple.
As described on the website for the Royal Family: "Coronation chicken was invented for the foreign guests who were to be entertained after the coronation. The food had to be prepared in advance, and Florist Constance Spry proposed a recipe of cold chicken in a curry cream sauce with a well-seasoned dressed salad of rice, green peas and mixed herbs. Constance Spry's recipe won the approval of the Minister of Works and has since been known as coronation chicken."
But it seems a number of people had no clue that this dish was born as a result of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation and many have taken to social media to voice their utter shock.
One Twitter user wrote: "I had no idea until now that coronation chicken was the last one's coronation dish thing," while another said: "oh my god... coronation chicken... right in front of my face for 28 years without a clue."
"WAIT …… so coronation chicken isn’t a flavour it’s the chicken the queen had at her coronation…. #iwastodayyearsold DID EVERYONE KNOW THIS !?!?!" added a third.
This shock revelation comes after the recipe for the King's Coronation quiche was revealed - a concoction which includes broad beans, tarragon, cheese and Spinach. Here's how to make it yourself.
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