BREAKFAST

Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and eat dinner like a pauper.

A phrase often heard.

Medically it is sound advice because our body rhythms are better focused first thing in a morning.  In reality our rushed life styles, and perhaps peoples obsession with healthy eating, as meant it is more likely to be a snack on the tube, then a cooked breakfast.

The full English of today pales in comparison to our Victorian ancestors. Then sideboards would be laden with hams, eggs, kidneys, fish, potatoes, sausage and more! Pork pie even, something that will appeal to Sheila without doubt!

 

 

Today, even the good old English fry up as been side lined  in favour of a more healthier option, except maybe on high days and holidays. The Wilton Week (my family’s annual get-together.) is such an occasion. On the first morning the boys, Sheila and Cherry start off with a fried breakfast of sorts. Sheila and Cherry soon join  Sue and Jayne with egg on toast. By Wednesday I am thinking of going along the egg only route, but then the frying of the bacon wafts from the kitchen , “Oh go on then I’ll have a couple of slices”!

Breakfast varies all over the world, In European countries like Spain, France, and Italy, the first meal of the day is a piece of bread or pastry and strong coffee. Eggs and bread in one form or another are staples in many culrtures.

 

Meanwhile in many Asian countries breakfast is an event that crowds the table just as much as dinner. Rice dishes feature in India, dim sum in china, miso, boiled fish in Japan. Oats are another common component of breakfast. Kasha a type of porridge is popular in Russia.

 

Who can forget Hafragrautur a staple in the diet of Icelandic families for decades. Oats with water or milk are mixed in a pot and left to simmer. It is served with a sprinkle of brown sugar, or occasionally a handful of raisins or a pat of butter, and coffee so thick it would have to be stirred with a cement trowel

In Mexico the first meal of the day is hearty, with dishes like chilaquiles and huevos rancheros being popular choices. Sweet rolls and coffee are lighter options.

What about the world under one roof? Experience a stopover in a International Hotel in Singapore, or Hong Kong. The buffet breakfast, and the word buffet, does it an injustice. It is world feast. Indian Curries, Asian Curries, Chinese noodles, Japanese rice dishes, Japanese porridge, the fried breakfast in its many guises. Pancakes, Waffles, muffins.

The Continental breakfast tables in International Hotels across the world are overflowing with French pastries , cheeses and eggs.

Staying in one of these hotels always gives me a dilemma. Could I perhaps try a little of that, a tad morsel of this, oh! yes, some of those. I really must try that, and gosh, I’ve never seen that before…. and so it goes on, until I collapse under the strain or they tidy the table away at Midnight!! Joking I am (?).

The Monkvalley breakfast? Well during the week it is cereal or on cold and frosty morning a steaming bowl of porridge – it always has to be steaming when describing a bowl of porridge! In Summer it’s toast, very often with Sheila s home made jams or if we have friends staying we might go continental. Weekends it’s eggs Our latest “craze” beings toast  with avocado and a poached egg on top.
Importantly for us we do sit and eat at the table.

 

 

Unfortunately for many its a plastic cup of coffee on the run. Indeed we find it totally bizarre, that people feel it necessary to be seen walking the streets holding a plastic/polystyrene container in their hand, as if it is a fashion statement! We plead with everyone to sit down, relax, and enjoy a tea or coffee in a “proper” cup. How long would that take?? ……and these days it is better for the oceans!

We enjoy breakfast if we are on our own or have friends with us. Croissants from the local  boulongerie a treat. It is a time to gather, to meet up. Catch up on breaking news, what has happen in the world overnight. What’s Trump tweeted now!!! A time to plan the day. Feeling relaxed you can face the day ahead what ever it brings.