Ethnic Breakfast Ideas and Recipes.

[Carolyn]

I need a recipe for a breakfast/brunch featuring various nationalities. Also just realized, I'm not sure what a lot of cultures eat for their first meal. Of course, I know croissants, or porridge or pastries, or sausages, tomatos and eggs but what about African, both Sahara and sub-Sahara, or India, or Russia or Native American? Do they have traditional foods? Would love to find out and to have any recipes for these foods. Have never seen this discussed on the BB, but somebody, in fact many people, must know a lot about who likes what first thing in the morning.

[makedah]

Godo question. I don't care for much traditional European-American breakfast food, so I'm interested in what non-Europeans eat for breakfast.

According to my Indian friend -- potato curry and rotis.

This is still European, but since you asked... Russian friend ate what he called a 'cheese sandwich' for breakfast: imported Havarti and Fontina on a French baguette.

Ful, a fava bean dish that CL included in a story about Lebanese cooking, is a popular breakfast food in the Mideast. (At least according to Moosewood)

[kwormann]

My Mexican friend grew up eating homemade beans and tortillas with EVERY meal! They really to make a wonderful complete breakfast!

Kim

[cchhbb]

When I lived in Mexico, it was tortillas and beans. In Puerto Rico, they seemed to like pastries.

[emilycat]

In Germany, Switzerland and Austria they typically eat breads, cheeses, cold meats, hard-boiled eggs and either coffee or tea. And Nutella. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[crazycook]

I remember visiting Italy when I was a young girl and my Aunts serving me a Latte(scalded milk with espresso and sugar) with day old homemade bread to dunk in it. Kind of odd, but very good! Another morning "perk-you-upper" was to take egg yolks and beat them with sugar until almost white in colour then add marsala or vermouth to thin it down some. Both were sure to get your heart started in the morning. I'm not sure I would do the egg yolk beverage today.

[Vanessa]

In Puerto Rico you would typically start your day with strong coffee and milk. You might then have pan de agua (like your French bread) which you can find in any bakery or early in the morning at the supermarket. And...most people will put butter on their bread. Now if you take a trip to any of the local bakeries you won't leave without delicious pastries and bread.I am not a breakfast person but mom would make us eggs, or oatmeal for breakfast. On Sundays because its less rushed you might find torta pascualina (like a pie using puff pastry sheets), or quiche or sort of pie with ham, spinach and cheese. Breads like banana, mango bread etc are often enjoyed at breakfast. Long ago when pR was more agricultural the men in the fields would start at 5am or so just with black coffee then would have something to eat in mid morning (like bread and coffee etc). Still nowdays in metropolitan SAn JOuan filled with business and offices people take a mid morning break @ 10 or so and go for cafe con leche, donuts or something to carry you over until lunch.

[miamadre]

Vietnamese eat a soup called Pho. It can be made with either chicken or beef and it can have rice noodles or wheat noodles, although wheat is more common.

[LGBurns]

My grandparents are from Finland and for Christmas breakfast we would always have something called Pannukaku (it means "pancake"). It was baked and so yummy--a couple months ago CL had a recipe for a baked pancake that looked very similar to what we had. In Finland, they top it with honey and lingonberries (sp?), but my mom used to use canned peaches (since it was Christmas and there wasn't a lot of fresh fruit available). Personally, I love it with berries, sour cream and honey. I'm at work right now, but if you're interested, I can look up the CL recipe and post it for you.

[This message has been edited by LGBurns (edited 05-21-2001).]

[Julia1Pin]

I was born in Russia, but grew up in the states. Most Sunday mornings, we would eat the following:

Baked potatoes, pickled herring from the deli (NEVER from a can), fried onions (I would put them in my baked potato). On the table would always be boiled hot dogs, some kind of cheese from the russian deli, and whatever other leftover we had. After breakfast we would constantly ask my dad to make "cafe glacee's" - basically ice cream floating in coffee.

Now, whenever we (my DH and I)visit my parents house, the whole family gets together (in-laws and uncles, etc...) and have brunch at around noon, with all the same foods.

Yummy!!!!!

[adb]

My DH is originally from India and a favorite weekend breakfast is Poorgi(sp?)and Paranthas - basically indian scrambled eggs with potatos and homemade bread. If you want to try it, let me know and I will write a recipe.

[kwormann]

adb...I would love the recipe.....is your DH from north or south India??? One of my best friends is from south India and I would love to surprise her and make this! Thanks http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Kim

[Carolyn]

Thank you all so much for all the information! I really have learned a lot about how people "break their fast". This BB is truly educational as well as helpful. What I can gather from what I have been reading is that almost everything edible is used as the first meal somewhere in the world. I would love any recipes anyone might have, esp. the Indian and Vietnamese. Vanessa, your telling about Puerto Rico is fascinating. Thank you so much for sharing it. LGBurns, thank you for your info. I can look up the recipe in my magazines.
Does anyone know of a Thai ginger-rice soup recipe? I had that for breakfast once at a Thai restaurant in Portland and loved it. Also loved the Japanese breakfasts but am too lazy to prepare all the lovely little dishes. What I make must be portable to a morning potluck. Anyway, I have enjoyed reading the answers. Now all I have to do is decide what to do!

[adb]

Kim - It may take a little while but I will try to create the recipe. I probably need to make it to figure out the right measurements and of course confer with my MIL. I will get back to you though.

DH is from Punjab in northern India but lived mostly in Delhi until he came to the US in 1982. If your friend is from southern India, I hope he/she has made dosas for you!

[makedah]

Kwormann -- a lot of south Indian Brahmins are vegetarian. Be sure your friend will eat an egg dish. (Some vegetarians will eat cake, cookies or something with eggs in it, but not an egg dish.)

[AD]

I know the kolachy (unsure of spelling) is of Czech origin. They are pastries (like sweet yeast rolls) filled with either prune or apricot filling in the center. You can probably use any kind of filling though. There is a bakery where I live that sells kolaches. They are lowfat there, but not all recipes are. They are equally as good though.

[Anne]

Hi Carolyn. Great question. When I was in west Africa we usually ate baked roots (edo, sweet potatoe, yam) or plantain that had been stuck in the coals of an outdoor cooking fire for quite awhile. The other item I ran into often was rice with very spicey greens (left over from dinner).

[daner94]

In South Korea we ate rice with little black beans. Sometimes with an egg on top. Sometimes with chunks of ham. Sometimes with sliced spicy beef. The first few days it was strange, but then we loved it!



[This message has been edited by daner94 (edited 05-24-2001).]

[kwormann]

Yes, my Indian friend eats meat. Thanks for the recipe offerm adb http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I cant wait to get it and make it for her http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

We have kolache places here, filled with fruit, or, my fav, eggs and stuff http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

DOes onyone know what they eat in the Mediterranean areas Spain, Italy, Greece??

Kim

[This message has been edited by kwormann (edited 05-25-2001).]

[This message has been edited by kwormann (edited 05-25-2001).]

[Carolyn]

Many thanks to all who responded to this request. I have lots of ideas and must decided very soon what country I will try to represent. I have learned a lot about different cultures and have enjoyed looking at many different recipes. Thanks for all your ideas.

[Gail]

It's been so long since I've visited Thailand, I drew a complete blank on what they ate for breakfasts. However, I DID remember a site one of our former regulars, Deanna, gave us and voilà-- information for you (and a recipe) on Thai breakfasts (regretfully, no Ginger Rice Soup...)

So, try this one on for size:
http://www.thaifoodandtravel.com/features/congee.html#recipe

[Carolyn]

Gail, That's it I think! (Notice the 3/4 cup of ginger.) I don't remember meat in it, but everthing in that breakfast was so unusual, I may have forgotten it. I think I may use ground turkey in it. Many thanks!