by Ben Becker, Newsletter Writer
Many of us struggle in the mornings. Simply emerging from a layer of sheets and blankets can be considered the first (and perhaps) greatest achievement on a frosty February day. It’s a feat simply to prepare a warm cup of coffee, let alone to get a waffle iron heated up. Indeed, some of the best breakfast offerings require far too much time and effort for a weekday before work. It is in the rush and demands of our daily grind that we often neglect those things most important in life. Often these are the same priorities that demand time and attention. So before you settle for cereal, find a few stolen moments to indulge in a morning meal that provides meaning to you and a special someone. This February provides a chance to take time and keep the home griddles well-warmed.
Fruit
Nothing provides the same indulgent complement to the standard breakfast fare as the incorporation of fruit. While they may seem elementary, the familiar apple brings sustenance not only for your body but your heart and soul as well. Apples are enticingly intertwined with stories of legend and intrigue where they symbolize love, beauty, and forbidden knowledge. According to classical myth, Eris, goddess of discord, inspired a beauty contest by dropping a golden apple between the goddesses Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite. The consequences of this rivalry would be far-reaching, leading to a love affair between Paris and the married Helen, and the Trojan War as a result. Other stories tell of apples of the Hesperides that served as a wedding present to the gods, and would be planted in the gardens of the goddess of marriage.
Even deep into these late winter days, your Co-op’s shelves are still well stocked with apples that have been stowed away since their harvest. Keep an eye out for the Pink Lady varietal. The soft pink glow of their skin makes them a fitting gift for Valentine’s Day. A high acidity level combined with heavy amounts of fructose give this fruit a pleasing sweet and tart taste in every crisp bite. This alluring cultivar is perfect to enjoy as is, but you may also choose to bake it into a decadent morning pastry.
Pomegranates
As delightfully as they balance sweetness and tart, your perspectives and pastry shouldn’t be too limited in scope. Why not feature something more exciting in your morning mix such as a pomegranate? Much like apples, these ruby-colored fruits have their own remarkable features and history. The name pomegranate itself comes from the Latin pomum granatum, meaning seeded apple. It is no wonder then that pomegranates are believed to have been the forbidden fruits that Eve offered to Adam in the Garden of Eden, rather than the apple. In Greek myths, pomegranate seeds were offered to Persephone after her seduction, by which Hades sealed her fate as his queen in the underworld.
Fortunately, the alluring red glow of the pomegranate holds fewer existential dangers to mere mortals. In fact, they are very nutritious, with a significant content of vitamins C and K, dietary fiber, and folate.
Mango
Another fruit that doesn’t grace the breakfast nook as often as it should is the mango. Rich in antioxidants and other nutrients, the mango is great for your immune system and health in general. It is also known as the love fruit for good reason. Rich in vitamin E, the enjoyment of this succulent treat can boost sex drive, increase virility, and regulate hormones.
Berries
At breakfast time, berries are not to be overlooked. No doubt, there is a fair reason for hesitation when purchasing fresh berries in the middle of February. Long removed from the growing season, they will often carry a higher premium and lesser quality compared to other times of the year. However, they can still be enjoyed by checking out the freezer aisle. You’ll find mixed varieties such as cherries, raspberries, and blackberries in a more stable package for increased shelf life.
Puff Pastry
A fitting complement to a fruit-filled breakfast is a puff pastry either next to or mixed in together. Heart-shaped pancakes topped with whipped cream, berries, or bananas are always a welcome way to start the day. Dutch baby pastries are a fluffy and fun treat and are excellent way to feature berries or an elegant layering of browned apples with cinnamon.
Before you get started, you’ll need to make sure everything is nice and hot, both skillet (cast iron works best) and oven. Mix half a cup of flour with half a cup of whole milk, two eggs, and a bit of salt and vanilla. Once blended, let it rest for half. Melt the butter in the pan before adding the batter. To serve, you can smother with syrup, sprinkle with powdered sugar, or dab on some jam.
The Egg
Eggs are often the centerpiece of the morning meal. From the perhaps more peregrine preparation of an Omelet du Fromage to the tenderness of perfectly poached eggs, they can be a true work of art when simply scrambled. Lately, this staple protein has proven to be more out of reach as market forces drive the cost of a carton ever upward. One major factor in the steep price is the spread of avian flu. As wild birds spread this disease from location to location, viable production of eggs and poultry becomes increasingly difficult. Industrial egg production is especially susceptible to the spread of disease as well. In order to produce eggs at rock-bottom prices, layers are tightly compressed into small pens and cages, with little room to move or even access to sunlight. The density of layers in close quarters creates perfect conditions for the spread of disease. In addition to being inhumane, this method for poultry makes our supply chain much more vulnerable as centralization and consolidation mean singular outbreaks can bring down a large portion of the supply. This lack of industrial resilience combined with inflation carries a large cost to the consumer.
Alternatively, small locally produced eggs have much more price resilience. Free-range chickens are healthier and less susceptible to disease. Independence from large consolidated supply chains also means that local operations are less impacted by threats to the food system’s infrastructure. The results are not only more humane to layers, but greater quality in the product. The deep rich yolk of eggs from producers such as Yuppie Hill Poultry and Pasture Patterns indicate that layers had better nutrition, and your breakfast will be better as a result.
Sausage
A good start to the day should be protein-rich. Eggs make an excellent offering for this energy source, but meat eaters (and faux meat-eaters) will likely augment breakfast with a few sausage links served from a box. But why limit yourself to the ordinary brown-and-serve breakfast links? Fresh breakfast sausages can be so much more satisfying and delicious.
Potatoes
If you have some sausage for breakfast, you might want potatoes to go with it. There are plenty of starches available to eat for breakfast, from plain toast to pastries including those mentioned above. For something a bit more earthy, hash browns are a great go-to. But if this offering proves too bland, it might be time to mix it up with something slightly different. For example, your classic Idaho potato might sit it out in favor of the blue or purple potato. The recipe is about the same, just grate your spuds, fry them in the pan, and flatten them down with your spatula. For even more flavor, however, why not make the same preparation with sweet potatoes. All of these options could be enhanced with the addition of cheese and onions of course. A dollop of sour cream, cilantro, and chives will also give this dish a great presentation along with its delightful taste.
Enjoy your morning and get a great start to your day with a hearty and creative breakfast. The rest of your day will thank you.