I’m not sure why it is, but I love food more than just about anything else, Esther Greenwood says in The Bell Jar. Much like Esther, I spend a great deal of time thinking about food. There are nights when I’ll go to bed willing it to be morning, just so I can have breakfast. I like playing this game where I fall asleep listing all the things I could possibly make. I’ll wake up and making biscuits from scratch, my dedication knows no bounds. Every once in a while, I’ll meet someone to whom breakfast in more of a suggestion than a requirement and I simple cannot relate. In my world, the day starts with coffee and breakfast, and if I skip it I feel like I’m missing something. Like I left the house without an umbrella and it starts raining and now the day is ruined. So these are my credentials as a breakfast lover and defender (the most important meal of the day!, you’ll hear me say, the way a mom does to a child), which entirely qualifies me to give you advice and tips and wonderful breakfast ideas. Because if you’re going to have to it everyday you’re most likely to get into a rut. Don’t worry, I’ve been there many times.
Of course, anything can be breakfast. As an adult, you get to make the rules. I have a friend who’ll eat anything from ground beef to pasta to roasted chicken thighs. Now, in my rulebook those qualify as dinner foods, so you’ll probably never catch me eating a deconstructed burger for breakfast. Having said that, I’ll eat other sources of carbs: potatoes, biscuits, pastries, and even cakes. I wasn’t kidding about the biscuits. But most of the time, I prefer a more practical breakfast, so it’s usually a dressed up toast or eggs served with various sides I have lying around. I usually favor savory breakfasts that revolve around a protein. But every once in a while I’ll wake up craving pancakes drenched in maple syrup.
So here are a few breakfast ideas for you. They’re most very simple and straightforward. Nothing fancy or groundbreaking. Sometimes all you need is someone to remind you that you if add a little tomato here, a little butter there, you’ll end up with a whole new dish. I’m starting with the simplest one: fruits in a bowl.
Greek yogurt bowls with toppings
Greek yogurt is an easy source of protein and a great base for a solid, quick breakfast. I always choose the one with the fattiest content – at least 9%, but 11% is even better. Don’t be afraid of animal fat! It won’t make you any unhealthier, but it will add flavor and creaminess to an otherwise very boring fruit bowl. I like topping mine with whatever fruit is in season – or canned peaches! I love canned peaches and they’re in all year round – then I add some granola or chopped up nuts and finish with a generous drizzle of maple syrup to balance out the yogurt’s acidic twang. If you want a healthier version, try date syrup!
Toasts, so many toasts!
Now look at all those beautiful toasts! There’s nothing easier than toasting a piece of bread and adding some toppings to it, so let’s start with the first one. Before I say anything, the key here is good bread. Make sure to get a good sourdough and the possibilities here are truly endless.
The first one is a simple cottage cheese topped with cucumber and fresh tomatoes. Season every layer with salt and pepper, drizzle with a little bit of EVOO and you got breakfast! Cottage cheese is a great source of protein and seasonal tomatoes are juicy and bright. It’s a delightful little meal.
Next to it, we have a slightly more sophisticated version of the first that involves some ricotta and basil olive oil. Basil olive oil is worth the time invested and highly suggest you making it. You can find the recipe here.
Then we have a protein filled breakfast that doesn’t get any easier. Soft-boiled eggs, and a little cottage cheese toast topped with microgreens – lots of nutrients and vitamins! Make sure to season with salt and pepper, add a nice drizzle of EVOO and it’s delicious.
And lastly, we have something that’s French and that is so simple, you’d never guess how delicious it is! You might initially find it uninteresting, but you have to try it: get a really good quality salted butter and add a very generous layer to a piece of toasted bread. Then top with finely sliced radishes and sprinkle chopped chives. It’s fantastic! Try it and let me know.
An egg a day keeps the doctor away
I have eggs almost every morning because it’s a no brainer and an easy protein but it gets boring pretty quickly. But if you think of your breakfast as a snack plate where the eggs are the main star, then you can just be creative and have fun.
Avocados pair really well with eggs. Just add a little olive oil, a little flaky salt, maybe some lemon, black pepper, and there you have it, a great breakfast. To clarify, yes I do like my scrambled eggs overcooked for the most part. We don’t need to go over it.
I like adding fruits, usually berries or pre-cut fruit like this pineapple is just so convenient and pretty affordable. Smoked salmon is great, too. And if I have any leftovers, like a dressing or pickled red onions, they’re all welcome, too.
One thing I’ve making lately is this crispy omelet (overcooked eggs is a theme here). I basically do two eggs and a little bit of cream, then I finely chop a bunch of fresh herbs, whisk it all until combined, season with salt and pepper. It’s so filling and delightful! And a blank canvas to any fillings or sides you want to add.
The fancy ones
And finally, the ones that require a tiny bit more effort. These breakfast tacos are incredible! I saw wishbonekitchen make them on tiktok, then proceeded to make them for days straight. Chili oil is a great ingredient to have on hand and I add it to everything. I like being generous with the fresh herbs and lime and the result is a burst of flavors in your mouth. It’s one of my favorite breakfasts.
When I crave pancakes, my go-to are these buttermilk pancakes because they’re my absolute favorite. But for a weekday, I usually make these oat flour pancakes. I use buttermilk instead of milk and lemon and add a teaspoon of vanilla. They’re delightful and so easy to make.
Alright, I think that’s enough breakfast ideas, isn’t it? If you make any of these, please let me know in the comments! If you have any breakfast ideas, please share with the class!
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good read
Regard Mel
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