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Breakfast and Brunch in America (United States) - an overview
 In America they may only indulge in a real breakfast spread at brunch, and are inclined towards the English tradition of substantial breakfasts. Although different cultures have influence on American habits they have put together a large collection of foods for the morning meal. They have also made their own contribution in other countries and thanks to Mr Kellogg cereal has joined coffee, tea, eggs and bread as a global breakfast food. In spite of its size there is a great deal of uniformity in what Americans choose to eat for breakfast, although in some regions they retain a local flavour. For example pancakes and maple syrup were a New England speciality. Importing ideas from Europe has involved the mixing together of a variety of ingredients like scrapple – a Pennsylvanian side dish, which is made by cooking pork scraps, cornmeal and herbs into a mush, pressing it into a mould then slicing and frying.
Although not noted as a health food, people in the South may well start their day with Grits, slathered with butter or red eye gravy (basically bacon grease mixed with the active ‘red eye’ ingredient – coffee). They will also eat biscuits made with lard, a thick slice of ham or bacon or crispy pork sausage with fried hash browns. The Western states have an influence from the Irish where you will find corned beef hash and poached eggs for breakfast, hearty omelettes with lots of fillings and home fries (chunks of potatoes skillet fried with onions and bell peppers) making the Western equivalent of hash browns.
More European influence has brought waffles and doughnuts to the breakfast table together with a now breakfast favourite – the bagel imported from its Jewish roots. The New York bagel is spread with cream cheese, piled high with smoked salmon and finished with thin onion slices. The English muffin used as a base for dishes like Eggs Benedict is in fact an American invention although clearly related to varieties of griddlecakes like crumpets that are |
Have you had breakfast here? - then tell us about it..
Citron J W Marriott, Grande Lakes, Orlando, Florida. Honeymoon Hotel - the most amazing breakfasts every day. Amanda M. 27/05/06
In Minneapolis we had 2" thick hot smoked apple brined pork chops with scrambled eggs and hash browns and in New York it was steak and eggs. Terry 10/08/06
In the Southern US they have this thing called grits. Supposed to be a delicacy. Its broken wheat (grits) or corn (hominy) boiled in water with butter, salt & pepper added. Scientist22 11/09/06
In Hawaii in a 24hr diner I had the best eggs benedict - slab of muffin, slice of turkey, slice of ham, 2 poached eggs and a glut of hollandaise. Although the best eggs are British straight from the hen, the yanks do know how to cook them and get them right every time. Foodieloon 10/08/06
I once went to America just for breakfast!! I was in Osoyoos, Canada and we travelled over the border for a good American spread - biscuits and gravy, grits, waffles and hot cakes. I wonder if I have a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the shortest trip to the States? Ann. 13/09/06
I went through a phase last year of foreign breakfasts to educate myself on them. I love Mexican breakfasts of scrambled eggs and chorizo or huevos rancheros. I found the US dish of biscuits with gravy (fried sausagemeat in a white sauce over scones basically) a bit on the rich side though. Terry 13/10/06
A friend of mine in Tennessee has grits every morning for breakfas - it's only a Southern version of polenta after all and no worse than porridge. There again - grits, polenta, porridge? Robert D 3/09/06
I had fabulous pancakes with a gallon of syrup in Chicago. Frenchcheesequeen. 12/08/06
In my part of Texas an amazing number of folk eat breakfast away from home. They might grab something like an Egg McMuffin and hash browns, or a breakfast burrito from the various fast food joints, or they may hang out in a coffee shop and drink very strong black coffee and eat donuts covered in a very sweet glaze. Very popular here is 'biscuits and gravy'. Its worth noting that the sausages here are not usually the link kind, but the minced and seasoned meat comes in plastic covered cylinders which are then sliced into discs. The bacon is already de-rinded and is always served very crispy, so crispy that it is usually eaten with the fingers. Trying to put a fork into it just shatters it! Then you could go the thick, fluffy pancake or waffle route, served with maple syrup or some other syrup. On the very same plate, you might have bacon and eggs. Scrambled eggs are always served well cooked and boiled eggs in egg cups are unknown! Marmite is unknown and I have never been served marmalade, although I can buy it in the shops. American style muffins are frequently considered to be a breakfast dish too. TexasTitch. 12/08/06
One of my favourites is American sausage - even the cheapest brand from the cheapest supermarket works for me - its a unique taste and nothing like sausages anywhere else in the known universe. I think I became addicted during the frequent trips to Florida (visiting family) during my childhood. and to go with that how can one resist pancakes (I love the pecan ones that Cracker Barrel serve), bacon crisped to within an inch of its life and lashings of maple syrup.Kaveyf. 12/09/06
Bagels with cream cheese and excellent smoked salmon in New York. The largest breakfast ever had was on the USS liner from Le Havre to NY. Anything from soup to steak, smoked fish, grilled sausages, fresh rolls, eggs in every way possible, cheeses, desserts, eye-boggling! The craziest probably in Dallas where a friend came to pick me up at my hotel room with a sliver bucket holding a bottle of Cristal Roederer, two glasses and a jar holding caviar...this was just to tide us over to the place where we were invited to breakfast. The hotel porter was extremely gracious, held my glass while I got into the car and didn't even blink! BelgianEndive 12/10/06
The Grey Fox Inn in Stowe, Vermont is a really great place for breakfast. The hotel is superb, the views are stunning and when you arrive at Christmas it looks like fairyland. The highlight has to be the Dutch Pancake Cafe - divine. All sorts of toppings/fillings and sides too good to miss. www.stowegreyfoxinn.com Georgina 21/03/07
Ponderosas food is the best! I had chicken nuggets, jelly, pancakes with syrup. It was all for breakfast! Bob Marley 26/02/09 |
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