Breakfast in Turkey is not a meal - it is an event. In fact, in Turkish, you don't say you "ate" breakfast - you say you "did" breakfast. Like so many of our cross-cultural experiences in Turkey, my first instinct was usually (and I am not proud to say this...) annoyance. I would ask questions (internally) like Where are the things WE want? Why do they do it like THAT? And then, wouldn't you know, within a few months I was wondering why I had never tried this or that, or done it this way, or seen that before. (See my post on yogurt as an example.) Our first introduction to Turkish breakfasts came at a hotel we stayed at. We brought our 2 sleepy kids (ages 4 and 7 at the time) to the breakfast buffet in the morning and looked around. Where was the cereal? Where was the toast? Not an English muffin to be found. And WHAT was up with all of the vegetables, olives, and cheese? As we took the kids through the line to get food, we had trouble finding things they would eat. They did have a cold cereal option, but it was muesli, which is essentially raw oats that you pour milk over. No Cheerios. No hot oatmeal. No sweet, fruity yogurt. I can't remember what we found for them to eat - probably some white bread and fruit. We experimented at the hotel with eating cheese and olives, fresh tomato and cucumber slices, roasted red pepper strips, boiled eggs, white bread all together on the same plate. It was surprisingly good. I had never enjoyed olives while living here, but Turkish olives were amazing. The only coffee option was instant coffee, so we drank the tea. It all tasted really good together. I still wasn't sure that I liked the idea of crunchy vegetables at breakfast time, after years of eating bread or cereal products first thing in the morning, but I opened my mind (and mouth) to the possibility. And within 2 years, we would be preparing that very breakfast every morning for ourselves. In actuality, Turkish breakfast goes far beyond veggies and eggs. There is often a large selection of different breads, fresh butter, jams and jellies and honey, salads, sausages in various forms, and yogurt. And as always, the tea flows freely. Some of our best memories from Turkey involve "doing" breakfast with friends and neighbors. Let it be known that Turkish hospitality truly does rival anything you will ever experience. But I digress. Since I don't eat much fruit, and I don't eat many grains, I depend pretty heavily on vegetables in my diet. Vegetables and nuts are the main sources of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals for me. I try to make vegetables the central part of my meal, with eggs, dairy, and meats being simply side dishes. I don't think I would have ever considered breakfast to be a time for vegetables if not for our time in Turkey, outside of the occasional veggie omelet. But in actuality, it's a great way to start the day. I skip the bread and have veggies instead. Here are a few of my favorite options for veggie-centric breakfasts: 1) Turkish breakfast: Fresh vegetable slices, white cheese (Turkish cheese can be found at international markets, but any type will do), marinated olives (cured black olives stored in a bath of olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, and a bit of crushed red pepper), an egg or two. 2) Veggie Scramble (easier than an omelet): Gently saute onions, garlic, and finely diced vegetables of your choosing or grated zucchini. Stir up a few eggs and pour them over the sauteed vegetables; gently scramble. Sprinkle cheese over the top. 3) Substitute fruit juice with vegetable juice. Make your own or buy it prepared. Make sure there is no added sugar. 4) Leftovers! Re-heated stir frys, stews, and curries can make great breakfasts. 5) For breakfast on the go, try a boiled egg, raw vegetable slices, and a cheese stick. This can easily be packed and eaten in the car or at your desk at work. If you have other ideas or other favorite breakfasts involving vegetables, please share below!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI'm Emily. I currently work in online education management, but I also have a Masters degree in Nutritional Sciences (my true passion). In addition, I am a mom, cook, avid reader, novice gardener, and enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities. On my blog, you will find articles on food, fitness, weight management, and eating issues. ALL recipes on my blog are gluten-free. Many are low-carbohydrate. Most are grain free. Enjoy! Categories
All
Archives
June 2019
|