The Royal Family Loves This Dinner Dish

What do Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana have in common with Ronald Reagan? Chef Enrico Delfingher has made them all a dish he calls Queen Victoria Risotto!

He first invented the dish and served it to President Reagan during Cold War talks. Then, when Chef Delfingher was a chef for the royal family from 1987 to 1990, he perfected the recipe for his creamy Queen Victoria Risotto.

What’s in the Royal Family’s Favorite Dish?

The Queen Victoria Risotto is made with Sicilian red shrimp, good Parmesan cheese, bright green herbs and a splash of sparkling wine. (Find a good cheap bubbly here.)

The family preferred creamy risotto for a reason—Queen Elizabeth II does not eat pasta. But risotto is a wonderful stand-in for those craving carbs when dining with Her Majesty. (Here are other foods the Queen would never eat.)

The dish was served “at important state events at Buckingham Palace and the White House,” Chef Delfingher tells Country Living UK.

How to Prepare a Royal Risotto

The full recipe is top secret, but you should be able to create a good copycat at home. Just start with our take on hearty shrimp risotto. Don’t forget to use Arborio rice, a short-grained rice that’s key for a risotto’s creamy mouthfeel.

For more food that’s fit for a Queen, check out recipes inspired by the royal family’s favorites.

Recipes Perfect for a Royal Kitchen

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Apricot-Rosemary SconesMake these easy sweet-savory scones a family project. It's a delightful way to show your love on Mother's Day. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida

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Taste of Home

Mini Rosemary-Roast Beef SandwichesRoast beef sandwiches never last long at a party, especially if you dollop them with mayo, mustard, horseradish and pickled giardiniera relish. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin

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Fish & Chips with Dipping SauceMy husband and I really like fish and chips, but not all the grease that typically comes along with it. I decided to give the classic dinner a makeover. Turns out the pickle dip is healthier than tartar sauce, and we like it a lot better—who knew? —Michelle Lucas, Cold Spring, Kentucky

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Slow-Cooked Shepherd's PieShepherd's pie is to the British as meat loaf is to Americans, so when I was a young child living in the U.K., I had it almost once a week. This is my go-to recipe when I'm longing for the sights and smells of my mother's kitchen. Turns out people here love it just as much! —Mari Sitkiewicz, Downers Grove, Illinois

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Taste of Home

Cocktail Mushroom MeatballsTide over even the biggest appetites with beef-and-pork meatballs in a chunky mushroom sauce. Larger portions served over noodles or rice can make a great dinner, too. —Diane Kelley, Madison, Wisconsin

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Pistachio Shortbread SandwichesWe tasted these melt-in-your-mouth morsels at a Christmas party several years ago, and I have since tweaked the recipe to include pistachios. The cookies disappear so quickly at parties, you just might have to watch the plate—and check the kids' pockets! —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

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Taste of Home

Beef Tenderloin with Pomegranate ChutneyWhen I want to show family and friends some culinary love, I roast a tenderloin and serve it with a sweet-tart pomegranate and apple chutney. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut

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Best Ever Bread PuddingThe secret to incredible bread pudding with a soft middle and crisp edges starts with leftover dinner rolls. I picked up the rich brown sugar sauce recipe from my friend Kathryn Gartmann. A big drizzle of it takes this dessert over the top and really makes it the best bread pudding ever. —Maria Petrella, Taste of Home Prep Cook

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Grandmother's Toad in a HoleI have fond memories of my grandmother’s Yorkshire pudding wrapped around sausages, a puffy dish my kids called “the boat.” Slather it with butter and maple syrup. —Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio

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Oven-Fried Fish & ChipsMy baked fish is a shoo-in when you want fish and chips without the frying mess. Dare I say, they're a little upgrade from the English pub classic. Get more of my recipe at cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com. —Reeni Pisano, Wappingers Falls, New York

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Cucumber CanapesI always get requests for the recipe for these canapes whenever I serve them. They're delicate finger sandwiches with a creamy herb spread and festive red and green garnishes. —Nadine Whittaker, South Plymouth, Massachusetts

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Two-Potato Shepherd's PieShepherd's pie has another name, cottage pie, and mashed potatoes have another alternative - sweet potatoes. Whatever you call it, there's enough in the recipe to bake one casserole and freeze the other for up to three months. Did we mention Cumberland pie is a cousin, but with bread crumbs on top? —Marcie Brooks-Smith, Fort Collins, Colorado

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Taste of Home

Italian Crumb-Crusted Beef RoastItalian-style panko crumbs and the seasoning give this roast beef a special touch—it's a nice, effortless weeknight meal so you can put your energy into relaxing. —Maria Regakis, Somerville, Massachusetts

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Blackout Peach Bread PuddingI bake several times a week so my kids have homemade desserts. We lost power in a storm, so I used the grill to invent “blackout” pudding. —Augustina Zaccardi, Eastchester, New York

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Mashed Peppery TurnipsI created this recipe in an attempt to use up a great turnip harvest from our garden, and to lighten up one of our favorite dishes. By using turnips in place of potatoes, I made a low-carb side. Now we rarely serve plain mashed potatoes! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

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Taste of Home

Spice-Rubbed Lamb ChopsOne of my absolute favorite meals to eat anytime are Lamb Chops! My girls, Hanna and Amani, love watching me make my delicious chops, but they love eating them even more. —Nareman Dietz, Beverly Hills, Michigan

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Crispy Fish & ChipsA British pub classic turns crown jewel when you add horseradish, panko and Worcestershire. You can also try it with a white fish like cod or haddock. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin

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Lemon Poppy Seed CutoutsI love to package up these tart, tender cookies to share with friends! You could spread them with buttercream or cream cheese frosting to turn them into sandwich cookies. And they'd be delicious dipped in white chocolate. —Ilana Pulda, Bellevue, Washington

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Easy Cornish PastiesThese are a bit different from traditional pasties, but the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen. My husband really enjoys these, so I like to double the recipe and freeze the extras to have on hand for a quick meal. —Judy Marsden, Ontario, California

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Ultimate Chocolate Bread PuddingWhen I really want to impress guests, I serve this decadent bread pudding. With just a few staple ingredients—bread, eggs, sugar and chocolate—I'm able to turn out this masterpiece in no time! —Erin Chilcoat, Smithtown, New York

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Lamb Pastry BundlesThis recipe was such a hit that my family has now incorporated the Mediterranean flavors into several dishes! —Tess Konter, New York, New York

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Speedy Shepherd's PieTurn mashed potatoes and a few pantry staples into cozy comfort food. This recipe is really flexible, so if you have extra veggies on hand, stir them into the beef mixture for even more goodness. —Sharon Tipton, Winter Garden, Florida

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Cherry-Chip Oat SconesMy family loves scones and anything with oatmeal. I started with my basic scone recipe and added oat flour to increase the oat taste and texture, then included special ingredients you can find in every bite. Look for add-ins that harmonize with the mellow flavor of oats. —Amy Brnger, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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Oven Parmesan CrispsMy husband and I avoid fried foods, but potatoes are part of our menu almost every day. These delectable sliced potatoes get nice and crispy and give our meals a likable lift. —Mary Lou Kelly, Scottdale, Pennsylvania

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Onion Yorkshire PuddingsThis easy recipe is a cross between traditional Yorkshire pudding and popovers. It makes a perfect complement to prime rib. We also like it with beef stew and steak. Make more than you need, because everyone loves it. —Emily Chaney, Blue Hill, Maine

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Taste of Home

Crisp Finger SandwichI love snacking on this delicious sandwich with its crisp English cucumber. I have also made batches of these for parties and showers using a small loaf of whole wheat or sourdough bread. —Missi Selin, Bothell, Washington

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Taste of Home

Bread Pudding with Bourbon SauceThere's nothing better than this comforting bread pudding recipe on a cold, wintry day. The bourbon sauce makes the dessert taste special, but it's so easy to prepare—the slow cooker does most of the work! —Hope Johnson, Youngwood, Pennsylvania

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Homemade Potato CrispsForget buying a bag of potato chips at the grocery store when you can make these at home. This quick and easy recipe will delight everyone in the family. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Taste of Home

Double-Dipped Shortbread CookiesMy mom and her friend did a lot of cookie swaps together. They were always finding new recipes to share, including this one. There's something about a dipped cookie that makes it seem so special, so we usually save these for the holidays. —Ginger King, Big Bear Lake, California

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Taste of Home

Triple Citrus SconesI love the bright and buttery flavor of these tender scones with glaze that soaks in. Serve them with a yummy jam, or try them as a base for strawberry shortcake. —Angela LeMoine, Howell, New Jersey

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Buttery 3-Ingredient Shortbread CookiesWith only a few ingredients, these butter shortbread cookies are so simple to prepare. —Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire

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Taste of Home

Dark Chocolate Croissant Bread PuddingCroissants make an incredible base for this rich, chocolaty bread pudding. I prefer dark chocolate, but semisweet or white chocolate work, too. Garnish with your favorite nuts. —Jennifer Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

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Roast Beef Finger SandwichesThese simple sandwiches are ideal for a bridal shower, brunch or high tea, when the menu is a bit more substantial. The mustard adds a nice kick without being overly spicy. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California

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Taste of Home

Lamb BakeThis dish is hearty and perfect for warming up on a chilly winter evening. The aroma is almost as delightful as the dish itself. —Frank Grady, Fort Kent, Maine

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Taste of Home

Mini Treacle TartsI searched for the perfect butter tart for ages. After many attempts, I discovered this favorite that begs for a scoop of ice cream on top. —Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio

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