Top 10 International Breakfast Dishes to Try at Home

Exploring international breakfast dishes offers a delightful way to start your day with diverse flavors and culinary traditions.

From savory to sweet, these recipes bring a taste of the world to your kitchen. Here are ten international breakfast dishes you can easily try at home.

1. Turkish Menemen

Menemen is a traditional Turkish breakfast dish made with eggs, tomatoes, green peppers, and spices. It’s a flavorful and hearty way to start the day.

Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs
• 2 ripe tomatoes, diced
• 2 green peppers, chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onions and green peppers, sauté until soft.
2. Add tomatoes and cook until they soften.
3. Season with paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Crack the eggs over the vegetable mixture and stir gently.
5. Cook until eggs are set but still slightly runny.
6. Serve hot with crusty bread.

2. Japanese Tamago Kake Gohan

Tamago Kake Gohan, or TKG, is a simple yet satisfying Japanese breakfast consisting of a raw egg mixed with hot rice and soy sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked Japanese short-grain rice
• 1 fresh egg
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
• 1 chopped green onion (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place hot rice in a bowl.
2. Crack the egg into the rice and add soy sauce.
3. Mix thoroughly until the egg is fully integrated into the rice.
4. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.
5. Serve immediately.

3. Mexican Chilaquiles

Chilaquiles are a classic Mexican dish made with fried tortillas, salsa, and often topped with eggs, cheese, and other accompaniments.

Ingredients:

• 8 corn tortillas, cut into triangles
• 1 cup red or green salsa
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 2 tbsp sour cream
• Oil for frying

Instructions

1. Fry tortilla triangles in oil until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
2. In a separate pan, warm the salsa.
3. Add the fried tortillas to the salsa, stirring to coat.
4. Fry the eggs sunny-side up.
5. Serve the salsa-coated tortillas with fried eggs on top.
6. Garnish with queso fresco, cilantro, and sour cream.

4. French Croissant and Café au Lait

Nothing says French breakfast like a buttery croissant paired with a steaming cup of café au lait.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups strong brewed coffee
• Fresh croissants (homemade or from a bakery)

Instructions:

1. Warm the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming.
2. Divide the hot coffee between two large mugs.
3. Pour the steamed milk over the coffee.
4. Serve with fresh croissants, optionally with butter and jam.

5. Indian Masala Chai and Paratha

A traditional Indian breakfast includes spiced Masala Chai and parathas, which are unleavened flatbreads.

Ingredients for Masala Chai:

• 2 cups water
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tbsp black tea leaves
• 2-3 crushed cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 2-3 cloves
• Sugar to taste

Ingredients for Paratha:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Water as needed
• Ghee or oil for frying

Instructions:

1. For the chai, boil water with spices for 5 minutes. Add tea leaves and boil for another 2 minutes. Add milk and sugar, simmer for 5 minutes, then strain and serve.
2. For the paratha, mix flour and salt. Add water gradually to form a dough. Divide into balls, roll out each ball, and cook on a hot skillet with ghee until golden brown.
3. Serve hot parathas with Masala Chai.

Source: Masala Chai Recipe | Paratha Recipe

6. English Full Breakfast

An English full breakfast is a hearty meal consisting of eggs, bacon, sausages, beans, toast, mushrooms, and tomatoes.

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 2 sausages
• 2 slices of bacon
• 1/2 cup baked beans
• 1 tomato, halved
• 4 mushrooms, sliced
• 2 slices of bread
• Butter for toast
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Fry the sausages and bacon until cooked through.
2. In the same pan, cook the mushrooms and tomatoes.
3. Warm the baked beans in a saucepan.
4. Toast the bread and butter it.
5. Fry the eggs to your liking.
6. Serve all components on a plate, seasoned with salt and pepper.

7. Greek Yogurt with Honey and Nuts

Greek yogurt with honey and nuts is a simple yet delicious breakfast that offers a taste of Greece.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/4 cup mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds, pistachios)

Instructions:

1. Place the Greek yogurt in a bowl.
2. Drizzle honey over the yogurt.
3. Sprinkle mixed nuts on top.
4. Serve immediately.

8. Italian Frittata

A frittata is an Italian egg-based dish similar to an omelet or crustless quiche, enriched with vegetables, cheese, and sometimes meats.

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for cooking

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
3. Sauté the vegetables in olive oil until tender.
4. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables and cook for a few minutes until the edges set.
5. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the frittata is fully set, about 15 minutes.
6. Slice and serve hot or at room temperature.

9. Spanish Tortilla

A Spanish tortilla is a thick omelet made with potatoes and onions, often served as a tapa.

Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs
• 2 large potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• Olive oil for frying
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan and fry the potatoes and onions until tender.
2. Beat the eggs in a bowl and add the cooked potatoes and onions. Season with salt.
3. Pour the mixture back into the pan and cook on low heat until the bottom is set.
4. Flip the tortilla using a plate and cook the other side until fully set.
5. Serve warm or cold, sliced into wedges.

10. American Pancakes

Fluffy American pancakes are a breakfast favorite, often served with maple syrup, butter, and fresh berries.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• Maple syrup and fresh berries for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. In another bowl, combine buttermilk, milk, egg, and melted butter.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
4. Heat a skillet over medium heat and grease with butter.
5. Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the skillet for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until golden brown.
6. Serve with maple syrup and fresh berries.

Conclusion

Exploring these international breakfast dishes not only broadens your culinary horizons but also allows you to enjoy the diverse flavors and traditions from around the world. Whether you’re savoring a Turkish Menemen or indulging in American Pancakes, these recipes offer a delightful way to start your day with a global twist.

References

1. Turkish Menemen Recipe
2. Tamago Kake Gohan Recipe
3. Chilaquiles Recipe