Food for Thought

Top 15 Hot Cocoa’s Worldwide

January 12, 2016

To all the chocolate artisans that continue to up the ante on what it takes to make a notable Hot Cocoa—I thank you! And to whoever decided that drinking chocolate should be a thing in the first place…I REALLY thank you!

This week were paying homage to the best places to grab Hot Chocolate around the world. Enjoy!


Baked (Brooklyn, NY)  

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Photo Credit: FoodandWine.com

Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito make everything from scratch at their Brooklyn based bakery, Baked! Their house hot chocolate is renown! Made with bittersweet and milk chocolate, and then topped with their homemade marshmallows!


Oyamel (Washington, D.C.)

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Photo Credit: Relish.com & Marissa Scarna

Mexico has a rich history of making delicious cocoa treats. The Hot Chocolate at Oyamel’s Mexican Restaurant in D.C. is a prime example of a south of the border Hot Chocolate done right! An Oaxacan variety chocolate combined with cinnamon, cloves, vanilla bean, sugar and steamed milk. Spicy perfection!


Angelina (Paris, France)

Photo Credit: Littlemaison.com

Photo Credit: Littlemaison.com

A famous Parisian tearoom, Angelina is known for their Old-Fashioned Hot Chocolate “L’Africain.” A brew of four African cocoa beans, topped with unsweetened whipped cream!


 XOCO (Chicago, IL)

Photo Credit: thelatinkitchen.com & Lisa Lubin

Photo Credit: thelatinkitchen.com & Lisa Lubin

Chef Rick Bayless’s XOCO Mexican Restaurant in Chicago serves their Hot Chocolate with a side of churros! They grind their cacao beans in house and top the hot brew with a hand whipped foam! As fresh as hot chocolate gets!


 Bouchon Bakery (Yountville, CA)

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Photo Credit: skinnyminhy.blogspot.com

 Thomas Keller’s Bouchon in Beverly Hills holds a special place in my heart as home to one of my favorite jobs as young chef.  I hear the Bouchon Bakery in Yountville makes a serious contender in the hot cocoa community! Their house Hot Chocolate is made with cocoa powder, milk and dark chocolate, and is then brewed in whole milk and heavy cream! Add a little coriander, cinnamon, and vanilla bean…you have one killer cocoa!


Fireside Lounge (Vail, CO)

Photo Credit: honestcooking.com/

Photo Credit: honestcooking.com/

Fireside Lounge’s: Haut Chocolat serves a Hot Cocoa made with Valrhona chocolate and steamed milk, that is then poured over a cup of house made chocolate marshmallows! Top that with a dark chocolate lattice that melts into the glass as you sip…DREAMY!


Flour Bakery (Boston, MA)

Photo Credit; Yelp.com and Amanda D.

Photo Credit; Yelp.com and Amanda D.

Flour Bakery in Boston offers a spicy version of Hot Cocoa called the “Fiery Hot Chocolate!” Made with a rich chocolate ganache that’s steamed with milk inside of an espresso pitcher. A dash of cayenne and chili powder kick it up a few notches!


Mindy’s Hot Chocolate (Chicago, IL)

Photo Credit: baconhound.com

Photo Credit: baconhound.com

Mindy’s Hot Chocolate in Chicago is known for their hot chocolate blends! Whether you want White Chocolate Egg Nog, a Hot Fudge Cocoa, or a Half and Half (half cocao/half expresso)…they’ve got you covered!


Vosges Haut-Chocolat (Chicago, IL; New York, NY; Las Vegas, NV; Beverly Hills, CA)

Photo Credit: yelp.com and Meg Y.

Photo Credit: yelp.com and Meg Y.

If you’re in the mood for something lighter and more delicate, try Vosges Haut-Chocolat’s “Bianca Couture Cocoa” hot chocolate! A blend of white chocolate, lavender and vanilla, with the essence of lemon and lime!


theLab (San Francisco, CA)

Photo Credit: betsubarasan.com

Photo Credit: betsubarasan.com

Leave it to San Francisco to house one of the world’s best and most authentic hot chocolates! The owners of theLAB in SF are a family of chocolate artisans! They’ve mastered many chocolate recipes and use their homemade chocolate to create one killer cocoa! Simply a reduction of their own chocolate and water, then topped with a Vanilla Bean Marshmallow, this drink is as rich as they come!


Conditorei Péclard im Schober (Zurich, CH)

Photo Credit: tyger.ac

Photo Credit: tyger.ac

Conditorei Péclard im Schober makes a hot chocolate that shines even in the Capital of Chocolate—Switzerland! Made by reducing pure swiss chocolate into whole milk, you can order this cocoa with a dollop of fresh whipped cream and a shot of expresso to kick off your day right!


CACAO (Atlanta, GA)

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Photo Credit: cacaoatlanta.com

At Cacao they infuse Aztec “aphrodisiac” sipping chocolate with six chilies and spices! Topped with their house-made marshmallows, this drink packs a rich and spicy punch!


Caffé Vittoria (Boston, MA) 

Photo Credit: indulgeinspireimbibe.blogspot.com

Photo Credit: indulgeinspireimbibe.blogspot.com

If you’re in Boston during the winter, you’ll have to swing by Caffe Vittoria to warm up with their “Cioccolatto Caldo!” Their renown hot chocolate is rich, creamy, and worth every sip! And for all you whipped cream lovers…they tend to be VERY heavy handed with the topping.


 Konditor & Cook (London, UK)

Photo Credit: pheebzeatz.com

Photo Credit: pheebzeatz.com

At Konditor & Cook’s in London, they enjoy their rich hot chocolate with a side of pastries—and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Word on the street is this place serves one rich hot cocoa, perfect for dipping brownies and treats!


Serendipity 3 (Manhattan, NY) 

Photo Credit: theodysseyonline.com

Photo Credit: theodysseyonline.com

And lastly…leave is to New York’s renown ice cream palace/restaurant, Serendipity 3, to make a frozen…or should I say “Frrrozen” version of hot chocolate! Their Frrrozen Hot Chocolate is essentially a cooled hot cocao made with a top secret blend of chocolates, that’s topped with a heap of whipped cream and sprinkled with chocolate shavings!


  So many places to visit and so many Hot Chocolate’s to try! Which Hot Cocoa do you think is worth the trip?

Main Course

My Chocolate

January 11, 2016

Here are a few delicious recipes from#ChocolateWeek’s past! What would you like to see from me this time around?


Chocoba

 The Chocolate Ball:

Chocolate Ball:
1 Cup Dark Callebaut
Chocolate Chips

Optional:
Ice cream
Fresh Berries
Walnuts
Topping

 

 

  1.  Start off by bringing 1 cup dark callebaut chocolate chips to 101°F, using the double broiling method. Gently mix the chocolate as it slowly melt to ensure all of the solids liquify.
  2. Once the chocolate is throughly melted and up to temperature, remove it from the stove and mix in a few chocolate chips to cool the mixture.
  3. Gently stir in the chocolate chips until the mixture is smooth and approximately 89-90°F.
  4. Once the chocolate is tempered to 89-90°F, pour the liquid into your chocolate mold about a quarter of the way up. Be sure to coat all sections of your mold. Then allow it to cool in the fridge for 30 minutes. Flip every 2-3 minutes to ensure is cools evenly.
  5. Once cooled, remove from the mold.
  6. I like to smooth out the middle seam with a warm spatula, but this is optional. If you prefer a shiny sphere, skip this step.
  7. Next you will want to heat up a plate or pyrex container and gently press the sphere onto the dish, in order to melt the bottom of the chocolate globe. This should leave you with a perfect cavity to fill the sphere with whatever you desire.
  8. Once the sphere is filled to your liking, heat your favorite topping and pour on top of the chocolate sphere. All that is left to do is enjoy!

Irish Whiskey Funnel Cake and Salted Chocolate:Funnel Cake

Salted Chocolate
1/2 cup dark chocolate
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp butter
2 tbsps irish whiskey
2 tsps sea salt
Funnel Cake Batter
1 cup milk
1 cup all purpose flour
1 whole egg
2 tsps kosher salt
2 tsps baking powder
2 tbsps irish whiskey
1 tsp vanilla extract

  1. Start by melting 1/2 cup of 60% dark chocolate, using the double boiler method, for about 5 mins or until it reaches 120°F.
  2. Next emulsify 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream and 1 tbsp of cold butter into the heated chocolate, constantly stirring to thoroughly mix these ingredients.
  3. Once the mixture is emulsified add 1 tbsp of Irish Whiskey and 2 tsps of sea salt. Mix well and pour mixture into a squeeze bottle for later use.
  4. In a separate mixing bowl add 1 whole egg, 1 cup of milk, 2 tsps kosher salt, 1 tsp vanilla extract and 2 tbsps of Irish whiskey. Give this a good whisk.
  5. Add 1 cup of all purpose flour and 2 tsps of baking powder. Continue whisking until the batter is completely smooth. Then transfer the batter into a squeeze bottle.
  6. Slowly squeeze the batter into a pan of frying oil (heated to 350°F), making small circular motions. Fry the funnel cake on both sides for about 2-3 mins.
  7. Once the funnel cake is golden brown, transfer it to a paper towel and/or rack to drain any excess oil.
  8. When you are ready to plate simply top the funnel cake with your salted chocolate, add a generous topping of powdered sugar, and there you have it, a delicious Irish Whiskey Funnel Cake with Salted Chocolate. Enjoy!

Waffles

Chocolate Chip Belgium Waffles:

Ingredients:

1 whole egg
1/2 cup whole milk
4 tbps granulated sugar
2 tsps dry active yeast
1 cup all purpose flour
4 tbps melted butter
pinch of salt
1 tbsp vanilla extract (optional)  

 

  1. In a medium mixing bowl add 1 egg, 1/2 cup of whole milk, 4 tbsp granulated sugar and 2 tsp of dry active yeast. Whisk for 2-3 minutes, until thoroughly combined.
  2. Add a 1/2 cup of flour and mix until the lumps dissipate.
  3. Add another 1/2 cup and continue mixing until there are no remaining lumps.
  4. Mix in 4 tbsp of melted butter.
  5. Once you have a smooth mixture, cover the mixing bowl in plastic wrap and allow the batter to rest for about 1.5 hours.
  6. Once the batter is proofed, add a few handfuls of dark chocolate chips and gently mix.
  7. Add 1 generous scoop of batter to a preheated waffle iron at 450 degrees fahrenheit. Cook for 8 minutes, or until golden brown, flipping the waffle one time in between.
  8. Add some butter, syrup, and all that’s left to do is ENJOY!

Chocolate Cream Filled Donut:Donu

Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp dry active yeast
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups flour
4 tbsp melted butter
1 whole egg
3/4 cup whole milk
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
3-4 tbsp whole milk
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract or paste 

  1. Warm up the milk in the microwave (or on the stove) to about 95°F then add it to the bowl on an electric mixer along with the granulated sugar and dry active yeast. Let this mixture sit for 20 minutes until it creates a layer of bubbles or foam on the surface.
  2. Add the melted butter and egg to the bubbling yeast mixture and stir for a minute or so. Attach the dough hook to the mixer and turn on low speed. Slowly start to add the flour a 1/4 cup at a time. Once all the flour has been added, scrap down the sides of the bowl then continue mixing until the dough has formed into a silky smooth ball. This will take approximately 5-6 minutes.
  3. Flour the surface of your working surface then take the dough out of the mixture, put into on the floured surface and begin rolling it out. Occasionally flour the top of the dough so it doesn’t stick to the rolling pin. Punch the dough out with a large ring cutter, remove the excess dough, then cover with a damp cloth. Allow the dough to double in size which will take approximately 45 mins to an hour.
  4. In a small sauce pan on low heat add the milk, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and sugar and bring up to 160°F making sure to constantly stir as its heat up. Once the it’s reached 160°F add the cornstarch and turn the heat up to low-medium and begin to cook the custard until it get very thick. It should take about 5-6 minutes. Once it has thickened to a pudding consistency turn the heat off and scoop the custard into a piping bag fitted with a metal tip. Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes.
  5. In a mixing bowl add the milk, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar and whisk until thoroughly combined.
  6. Once the dough has doubled in size and is ready to fry fill a pot half way up with canola oil to 350°F, and begin frying the donuts. They’ll take 4-5 minutes to cook and you should flip them at least 2-3 times during the cooking process to insure an evenly cooked donut. Once they’re golden brown remove them from the oil and rest on a few dry paper towels or a wire rack to get rid of any excess grease. Let them cool down for 5-10 minutes before filling and glazing.
  7. Pull the chocolate cream filling out of the fridge and begin to pipe it into the center of each donut. You’ll have to get a little rough with the donut in order to really fill them up, so don’t be to shy when shoving the tip of the pastry bag into the middle of the fried dough. Next, dip the tops of the warm filled donuts in the vanilla glaze and return them to the wire rack (or paper towels). Let these sit for 10-15 minutes in order for the glaze to set up then ENJOY!!!

Choco Taco

Choco Taco:

Ingredients: 
2 whole eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup all purpose flour
3-4 tbsp whole milk
1/4 cup melted butter
1 tbsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1 cup melted dark chocolate
1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
1 qt of store-bought ice cream 

 

  1. Add two whole eggs and 1/2 a cup sugar to a medium mixing. Give it a good whisk.
  2. Mix in 3-4 tbsp whole milk, 1 tbsp vanilla extract, 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/3 cup all purpose flour, and pinch of salt.
  3. Continue to whisk for until there are no lumps. Preheat your waffle iron and coat it with a bit of canola oil—so the batter doesn’t stick. Once the waffle iron is hot, pour a small scoop of the batter into the center of the mold (about 4 in. in diameter). Close the machine and cook until the batter is a deep golden brown. While hot, mold the waffle cone into taco form. Repeat process for desired amount of choco waffles (recipe is for 3 servings).
  4. Allow them to cool and become firm before handling. Once cool coat the inside of each shell with a good serving of melted dark chocolate. This will keep the shells from becoming soggy when you fill them with ice cream.
  5. Allow the shells to set up in the freezer for about 10-15 mins.
  6. Once the chocolate is set, pipe a generous portion of your choice of ice cream. I enjoy a rich and creamy vanilla. Use a pastry spatula to gently smooth the excess ice cream evenly across the top of the waffle shells. Put these back into the freezer and allow it to set up for about 2 hours.
  7. When the ice cream is set, remove from freezer and dip the tops of the waffle tacos with the remainder of the melted dark chocolate.
    Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and return to freezer to for about 20 mins.
  8. Once the chocolate has set, dig in!

Enjoy!

Food for Thought

The Art of Tempering Chocolate

January 6, 2016

There really is an art to tempering chocolate. “Tempering” being the process of melting and cooling pure chocolate in a precise way to maintain the structure of the chocolate’s fat molecules.  This allows the chocolate to be melted down, poured, and cooled into a glossy solid, as opposed to remaining melted or overheating the chocolate. When chocolate is tempered properly, it should cool to be smooth and shiny. When you break a piece of tempered chocolate it should have a clean and sturdy snap. The art of tempering lies in the precise way in which you heat and rapidly cool the chocolate. Every degree counts.

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To understand this more fully, understand that chocolate contains a crystalized fat known as cocoa butter. As with most cooking fats, cocoa butter can be a liquid or solid. However, unlike most cooking fats, the cocoa butter in chocolate must be broken down (melted) and rebuilt (cooled) very precisely, or we run the risk of completely altering its crystalline structure.  Once chocolate is melted from a solid to a liquid, its crystals separate and its structure is compromised. The goal of tempering is to manipulate these crystals into coming together again, into one stable form. If chocolate isn’t tempered at the right degrees, the re-build of the broken down crystals can can result in a grainy, dull, or permanently liquid chocolate.

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For proper tempering, your goal should be to barely melt the chocolate at all. You simply want to take about 2/3 of the chocolate you wish to temper and slowly melt it over a double boiler, or very low heat source—constantly stirring through out the tempering process. Ideally you would want to hit temperatures between 114-118° F for dark chocolate, 105-113° F for milk chocolate,  and 100-110°F for white chocolate. You NEVER want to exceed 120°F, or you risk having to start all over.

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Once you hit the appropriate temperature range, the next step is a rapid cool down. Immediately remove the melting chocolate from the heat source and begin to stir in the remainder of the unmelted chocolate—little by little. The goal is to use the unmelted chocolate to cool the melted chocolate to a precise temperature. For dark chocolate that’s 89-91°F and for milk or white chocolate, that is 87-89° F. Once you hit the corresponding temperature, you are ready to dip, coat, or pour!

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Following these tempering guidelines should result in a firm, shiny and smooth chocolate treat! And if ever you don’t succeed, ensure you have an accurate thermometer and keep at it!

As with everything, practice makes perfect and tempering takes practice.

Breakfast

Crispy Eggs Benedict

January 6, 2016

Who says you can’t have it all?  Today we’re combing three of my favorite breakfast treats into one tasty meal! Crispy Eggs, meets Eggs Benedict, on top of Avocado toast…makes for one killer combo and is a definite NEW favorite of mine! Let’s jump in!

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Start by making the Avocado spread. Add the meat of 1 ripe avocado to a small mixing bowl.

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Add 2 tsp of chopped parsley…

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…the juice of 1 small lemon…

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…salt to taste…

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…1 tsp ground cumin…

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…1 tsp chili flakes…

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…and 2 tbsp olive oil.

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Give this a quick mash/mix and set aside.

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Begin making the hollandaise sauce by adding 1 egg yolk to a small sauce pan.

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Begin whisking the yolk.  

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As you continue to whisk, slowly add in half of the melted butter (1/4 cup) just a drizzle at a time.

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Do not add all the butter at once and be sure to continue whisking throughout the process; otherwise you risk the whole sauce being broken.

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While continuing to whisk, return the pot to medium heat for one minute.

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Remove from heat and slowly add in the remainder of the melted butter…

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…continuing whisking until the sauce generously coats the back of a spoon. 

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Once you’ve reached the desired consistency, return the pot to medium heat and allow the sauce to set up for 1 minute while continuing to whisk. Remove from heat and add 1 squeeze of lemon…

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…2 tsp chili powder and salt to taste.

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Give this a quick mix and set aside.

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Next up halve 1 bunch of asparagus lengthwise.

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Season the asparagus, and 1 thick slice of sour dough bread, with a drizzle of olive oil…

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…salt, and pepper to taste.

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Transfer the bread and asparagus to a grill top on medium to high heat.  

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Grill both sides of the bread and asparagus for about 1-2 minutes, or until both sides are cooked perfectly.

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Once everything is nice and toasted, remove the bread from the grill and begin topping it with a generous smear of the avocado spread.

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Top with the grilled asparagus.

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Lastly, cook two crispy eggs for about 3-4 minutes. (Click here to for the full recipe).

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When the eggs are done cooking, remove them from the heat and gently blot off any excess grease with a paper towel. Add them to the top of the avocado toast. 

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Top it all off with a couple generous spoon-fulls of the homemade Hollandaise Sauce…

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…a few leaves of parsley…

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…and a sprinkle of chili powder. All that’s left to do is enjoy!

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[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:66]

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| Top Left: Medium All-Clad Sauce Pan | Top Middle: All-Clad Grill | Top Right: Small All-Clad Sauce Pan |

| Bottom Left: Glass Bowl Set | Bottom Middle: Maple Boos Cutting Board | Bottom Right: Electric Frother |

Food for Thought

The Invention of Brunch

December 25, 2015

For some brunch is a luxury, for others it’s a lifestyle. It’s the one meal that gives you an excuse to break all course boundaries. Not quite breakfast time, not yet lunch time…mimosas in the morning and waffles well after breakfast. If brunch is one thing, it’s fearless!

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How this meal between meals came to be? The concept isn’t finite, but it’s most commonly related to hunting luncheons of the British upper-class in the early 19th century.  Hunters would wake early, skipping breakfast, begin their hunt, and then return for meals between 10 and 11am. Not quite lunch time, but having worked up a hearty appetite, a variety of foods were served at once.  Meats, cheeses, eggs, fruit, and wine filled the tables—accounting for the first time that breakfast and lunch foods were served at one time!

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In the late 19th century, a similar tradition was created…the “Varsity Meal!” College students coined the term for waking up late and eating/drinking whatever they wanted—despite the fact that it wasn’t a precise meal time and still early in the day. Once the fad had a name, the trend spread fast! After all, it broke all boundaries of when and how you could eat and drink!

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The first time the word “brunch” was coined was in a 1895 article by Guy Beringer.  The article explored whether an earlier and lighter lunch could be beneficial. The article took off and it wasn’t long after that that American’s embraced the trend too! Considering the times, many Americans were foregoing church on Sundays, but needed something to do…therein the tradition of “Sunday Brunch” was born. 

Regardless of when or where you choose to brunch, one this can be said…brunch is DELICIOUS!

 

 

Breakfast, Food for Thought

Breakfasts Around The World

December 23, 2015

In honor of #BreakfastWeek I thought it would be really interesting to see what types of traditional breakfasts people eat around the world! Some things I found more surprising than others, but mostly this research just made me one hungry guy! Here’s a few dishes you can expect to see if you visit these places:


Brazil

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Photo Credit: TheBentleys.co

Ham, cheeses, and breads make the base of a traditional Brazilian breakfast. All you need is side of Brazilian brewed coffee and you are good to go!


China

dim-sum

Photo Credit: HelpGoAbroad.com

Dim Sum, which consists of many small plates of various dishes (dumplings, etc.), can be a traditional Chinese breakfast, lunch, or dinner!


Columbia

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Photo Credit: HungrySofia.com

Columbia is known for their Changua!  It’s a Columbian breakfast that consists of an egg poached in milk and water! 


Egypt

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Photo Credit: Reddit.com

“Foul Madamas” is a mixture of fava beans, chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and diced veggies. Top that with some fresh spices and a couple of hardboiled eggs and you have a traditional Egyption breakfast!


England

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Photo Credit: integrateisgreat.eu

An “English Breakfast” is very similar and was quite the influence on the American breakfast.  Made up of eggs, bacon and sausages, fresh produce, baked beans, and a hot cup of english tea.


France

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Photo Credit: StudioWest.com

Croissants, pastries, fresh breads, butter and marmalade…those are the key ingredients to a sweet French breakfast!


Germany

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Photo Credit: Blog.HostelBookers.com

In Germany it’s common to start you day with a serving of sliced meats, cheeses, fresh baked bread and a hearty sausage link!


India

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Photo Credit: MapsOfIndia.com

“Idli” is an Indian breakfast cake made with black lentils, rice, and is topped with sambar and chutney! A very common breakfast in India.


 Iran

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Photo Credit: bcmTouring.com

A traditional Iranian Breakfast consists of Naan bread with a jam or butter spread! Simple, but effective.


Israel

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Photo Credit: Cooking.NYtimes.com/

Israel is know for their shakshuka breakfast! It consists of eggs cooked in a spicy tomato sauce and is served with pita bread! 


Italy

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Photo Credit: TheFoodNomads.com

Italians keep it simple…cappuccino, croissant, DONE.


Japan

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Photo Credit: FoodoByte.com

A traditional Japanese breakfast starts with a bowl of miso soup, followed by steamed white rice and various other side dishes. Common sides are grilled fish, japanese pickles, nori (dried seaweed), and natto (made from fermented soybeans).


Korea

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Photo Credit: eRecipe.com

The Korean egg roll is commonly eaten for breakfast in Korea. It’s simply a different take on the omelette we all know and love—rolled and sliced like a wrap.


Mexico 

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Photo Credit: BonAppetit.com

Chilaquiles is a traditional Mexican breakfast and it is DELICIOUS! Think morning nachos…tortilla chips, topped with a spicy red sauce, cotija cheese, avocado and a fried egg. So dang good!


United States

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And the cornerstone of the American Breakfast is…EGGS, BACON, & POTATOES! Throw in a stack of warm Blueberry Pancakes drizzled in maple syrup and you’ve got a traditional American breakfast.


 So many places to visit and so many breakfasts to try!