Chocolate.
We wrapped our final day of shooting yesterday – on location at Bernard Callebaut of all places – it was no accident that I took several takes – dozens, even – to get it right. I haven’t eaten so much chocolate since Christmas, and certainly not so much of the best stuff (in my humble opinion) on earth at one time. They were good enough to donate it all to my cause – standing amid all that chocolate, at the nexus of the chocolate universe, chomping on a giant dark chocolate “J”, it occurred to me that I must have saved a basket of drowning puppies or something in a previous life.
Because I saw on our shooting schedule that we’d be finishing up with chocolate, I planned of course to celebrate proper. (And yes, I do celebrate with food. Not exclusively, but I don’t believe in segregating food from emotions, sticking them in opposite corners of your brain lest they get together and gang up on you. Food is emotional; we eat to celebrate, to socialize, to calm and comfort ourselves and each other. If food wasn’t more than just a substance used to keep us alive, there would be no restaurants, no Food Network, no Gourmet magazine, no food blogs! Have I said this before? Anyway, it makes sense to enjoy your “sometimes food” at times such as the night after spending 18 days in front of a TV camera.)
Knowing I’d likely be downing plenty of the stuff straight up while I was there, I planned to take home a jar of BC chocolate hazelnut spread to eat with a spoon whilst lying down on the couch. Oh yes. Their chocolate-dipped pretzels didn’t even make it all the way home in my car.
Nutella lovers, take note: Nutella is not the wholesome blend of hazelnuts and skim milk it purports to be – the first two ingredients are sugar and modified palm oil. So really it would be more accurate to call it a not-so-wholesome blend of sugar and modified palm oil, with hazelnuts and powdered milk. Bernard sells a chocolate hazelnut spread made with chunky toasted hazelnuts and Bernard Callebaut chocolate. Pure heaven in a jar.
So dinner last night was mostly chocolate. I got home at dinnertime, fed M & W the last of the I Don’t Want Earl’s Baby pie, and we all ate a big bowl of salad. (With the exception of W, who screams and runs from fresh greens.) Shockingly, I hopped on the scale this morning and found I had finally crept past the 200 mark (in the right direction this time), marking 20 pounds lost! A little surprising considering the sheer quantity of chocolate I consumed yesterday, but proof positive that a day of eating chocolate and pastries will not undo the good you’ve done. (I can only conclude from this experiment that Bernard Callebaut chocolate is an effective weight loss aid – I prescribe as much as possible to combat the effects of too-tight pants. Worth a try.)
Tonight, dinner will be skipped (for me, anyway) due to a late lunch (I got to play mom today – made cupcakes with W and then went to gymnastics, and had the gang back for lunch afterwards) and the fact that I’m judging the Lawson Lundell Celebrity Hors d’Oeuvres Competition tonight. That means tasting everything – generally 40 or so hors d’ouevres, served up by the best restaurants in town – starting at 8:30. I think I may have written about it last year. Yes it’s a good gig, but a little eclectic, especially after 30 or so entries… I’m full just thinking about it.
By the way, have you seen the new Subaru ad with the sexy car wash Sumo wrestlers? I so downloaded that song onto my gym playlist. My only worry is that I may start grooving on the elliptical trainer. I do feel mighty svelte thinking about all those Sumo wrestlers. (If you’re looking for it, it’s called Danger! High Voltage by Electric Six. Wow, that almost makes me sound young and hip.)
Welcome back FREE STUFF FRIDAYS!
I think some B. Callebaut chocolate is in order here (sorry, you can’t have my BC hazelnut spread – not that you’d want half a jar anyway), and I thought I’d go ahead and get a waffle iron to put up, since so many of you don’t appear to have one, and it’s not exactly the sort of thing you tend to go out and buy yourself. I don’t have it yet, so don’t have a photo, but I’ll make sure it’s a nice one. Thanks so much for sticking around while I was MIA.
Question: What’s your favourite breakfast, when you have time? (Those who answer “waffles” will not be given preferential treatment…)
February 20 2009 02:38 pm | leftovers
ladyloo on 20 Feb 2009 at 2:43 pm #
How did I not know about BC hazelnut spread?! Thank the gods I’ll be in Calgary in a couple of weeks…
Bethany on 20 Feb 2009 at 2:48 pm #
Ooh, a waffle iron. To make waffles, which then should have BC hazelnut spread slathered on them. Sounds divine.
Bonnie on 20 Feb 2009 at 3:00 pm #
Huevos Rancheros…esp eaten in the California sunshine!!
jennywenny on 20 Feb 2009 at 3:00 pm #
I think my favourite breakfast would be some home-made granola with cherries. That hazelnut spread looks incredible!!
Barb on 20 Feb 2009 at 3:05 pm #
Something that is quick and wholesomely good at the same time. I have been enjoying your Festive Slow Cooker Muesli. Make a pot full and rewarm or freeze it for later. That’s my Monday to Friday favorite. Weekends might be eggs or pancakes or waffles and fruit
Barb on 20 Feb 2009 at 3:10 pm #
20 pounds in 5-6 weeks or so is AWESOME! I need to take lessons from you. Good going Julie!
Dana mccauley on 20 Feb 2009 at 3:10 pm #
Oh how you taunt me with this post – can’t resist BC chocolate!
Jenn on 20 Feb 2009 at 3:16 pm #
Favourite breakfast is homemade egg mcmuffins (especially when my husband makes them!).
JulieVR on 20 Feb 2009 at 3:16 pm #
Don’t forget that I am 6 feet tall (if I stand up straight) – and you always lose more at the beginning! That first week that was kicked off with a case of the Norwalk virus accounted for 8 pounds!
Ricki on 20 Feb 2009 at 3:21 pm #
Oooh, a day eating fine chocolate–can’t think of anything better! Re: breakfast, it’s hard to say, since I so love breakfast foods of all types, but probably berry pancakes would be top of the list. I also do a baked french toast in a souffle dish with mixed berries that I love. Mmmm–now I’m thinking of having breakfast for dinner!
Laurie on 20 Feb 2009 at 3:21 pm #
If I have time, I like to make french toast (with a little cinnamon beaten into the egg mixture) and then garnish it with plain yogurt, sliced bananas and whatever berries I have on hand (either fresh or in the freezer from when they *were* fresh). Then drizzle the whole lot with the secret cache of real maple syrup my sister brings me from Ottawa (*that’s* what Obama should’ve picked up in the Market!) Very filling and satisfying. I’m nearby and can come get my waffle iron anytime!
Linda on 20 Feb 2009 at 3:21 pm #
My favourite breakfast is a frozen chocolate bar – preferably Coffee Crisp and a nice cup of coffee. Peace and quiet and the newspaper…..
Melanie on 20 Feb 2009 at 3:27 pm #
My favorite breakfast is cereal. I love it. Especially with sliced bananas. Lately I’ve gotten back into the cereals of old and really enjoyed good old cornflakes, rice krispies, and shreddies.
My favorite ‘special’ breakfast was a baked french toast full of cream and orange liqueur…
Congrats on the weight loss!!!
JenF on 20 Feb 2009 at 3:28 pm #
breakfast burritos – scrambled eggs, peppers, refried beans and cheese in a tortilla with salsa & sour cream on the side.
Jan on 20 Feb 2009 at 3:29 pm #
I love german apple pancakes for breakfast, but they are time consuming so I don’t make them often.
I would have gone through life unaware BC hazelnut spread existed. Thank you Julie!
Martine Piebiak on 20 Feb 2009 at 3:55 pm #
Apple oatmeal muffins, fresh from the oven, with a smidge of butter.
A side of crispy bacon, boiled eggs and fresh fruit salad with bananas added at the last second so they don’t go brown.
Cheers! m
mmac on 20 Feb 2009 at 3:56 pm #
You made it! Congrats. Ending with chocolate seems completely appropriate. I LOVE breakfast and would choose it over any other meal any day. My current fave is your granola, with milk, both warmed up in the microwave. I love the mueseli at the Palliser hotel, eggs benny at the Avenue Diner, most french toast … and I could go on. I also love pink grapefruit, but only if I have a grapefruit spoon to eat it with. Crazy but true.
Shannon on 20 Feb 2009 at 4:23 pm #
To start with, I don’t think I’ve ever met a breakfast I didn’t like, so this is hard to do.
My favourite breakfast when I’m cooking is a fried egg with cheese and spinach on an english muffin. When someone else is cooking, it’s probably eggs benny or some kind of intricate crepe I would never make for myself.
glenda on 20 Feb 2009 at 4:25 pm #
Favorite breakfast? – so hard to narrow down. But some yummy scrambled eggs with ham/ peppers/ onions/ cheese and a fresh from the oven muffin or cinnamon bun. But I could be convinced otherwise with a waffle iron!
glenda on 20 Feb 2009 at 4:37 pm #
Oh , and some good dark coffee along with the above, and a good friend to share it with, of course.
(The BC chocolates in your photo may send me running to my secret stash….be strong!)
Heather on 20 Feb 2009 at 4:41 pm #
I’ve always wanted to try BC chocolate spread. I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Nutella.
Lindsay on 20 Feb 2009 at 4:50 pm #
Favorite breakfast would have to be a toasted tomato, bacon and cheese sandwich on homemade whole wheat bread. Or waffles with homemade saskatoon berry syrup, but due to lack of waffle iron those haven’t been available since I left home 10 years ago… sniff*
Tina on 20 Feb 2009 at 4:52 pm #
Funny that so few have waffle irons(me included)!
Favorite breakfast would be either blackberry scones straight out of the oven or corn tortillas crisped in the oven topped with scrambled eggs/prosciutto and fresh salsa.
kelly on 20 Feb 2009 at 5:18 pm #
for a start – it’s made for me! but really my favourite breakkie is wonderfully hot, scrumptious porridge, with a dab of butter, brown sugar and raisins!
Pauline on 20 Feb 2009 at 5:30 pm #
I love breakfast. Right now I am on a porridge kick, served with walnuts and fresh blackberries from Costco. They are so good and sweet. BC chocolate luv em just luv em. Julie I loved your waffle picture, did you eversay what kind of waffle maker you have???. Happy to hear you are still loosing weight. Could you pop over and give me a kick in the butt.
Ethel on 20 Feb 2009 at 5:33 pm #
Our favourite breakfast (my husband and I) at the moment is 1 cup of old fashioned muesli/oatmeal blend with 1/2 cup fresh pineapple and cinnamon. Top this with 1/4 cup of 1% milk and 1/2 tbsp of brown sugar or maple syrup and you have yourself about a 250 calorie breakfast. It is very nice especially when the pineapple cooks a bit. Nice change from omelettes etc. which are equally good.
Carla on 20 Feb 2009 at 5:33 pm #
You certainly deserve to celebrate! And this Nutella lover thinks that hazelnut spread looks like a little jar of heaven!
My favorite breakfast is eggs benedit, but I don’t make them at home. Lately, favourite homemade weekend breakkies have been baked apple cinammon oatmeal and lemon ricotta pancakes.
Jen on 20 Feb 2009 at 6:21 pm #
A nice latte and a good novel along side a bowl of oatmeal with a swirl of peanut butter (or chocolate hazelnut spread) and a sliced banana.
Amy on 20 Feb 2009 at 6:43 pm #
You may not believe this…but MY favorite breakfast is (drum roll…): stewed kidneys on toast. I KNOW it sounds disgusting, but for me it conjures up all the happy memories of childhood. Mother used to make it for breakfast on Christmas morning – a thick savoury stew, filled with pork kidney, poured over toasted fresh home-made bread (dripping with butter natch). The cholesterol (and etc.) prevents frequent indulging, but every once in a while I still make it.
Britt on 20 Feb 2009 at 7:04 pm #
My favorite breakfast is a bowl of fresh fruit with yogurt and homemade granola. Oh this brings back memories of warm summer days and waking up and eating breakfast in the backyard in the sun with a good cup of tea. Sigh…soon enough!
eroica on 20 Feb 2009 at 7:40 pm #
Eggs Benedict.
This weeks Chgo. Trib food section had an article (originally from the LA Times) on the joys of Nutella and a description of how you might go about making your own.
Teresa on 20 Feb 2009 at 7:40 pm #
Our most favorite breakfast has to be pancakes with sliced bananas mixed with brown sugar (they carmalize beautifully!), mixed berry pancakes, with crispy bacon and poached eggs. And of course, a wonderfully dark roasted cup of fresh brewed coffee with cream! I’m so glad you are back to stay, Julie!
thepinkpeppercorn on 20 Feb 2009 at 7:43 pm #
french toast and cappuccino(s)….made by someone else. french toast requires maple syrup. And cappuccino with whole milk. mmmmmmmmmm!
Funny about the Callebaut hazelnut spread, I was just there last week and thought about it (except that there are 2 jars of nutella in the cupboard). But it is probably the worst thing in the house…so things could be worse. Have a great weekend!
Christine on 20 Feb 2009 at 7:44 pm #
My favorite breakfast is hands down scrambled eggs, ham, shredded hash browns, toast and coffee at Phil’s in Calgary. Don’t knock it till you try it!
Nancy G on 20 Feb 2009 at 7:47 pm #
Oatmeal with chopped dates, apples and walnuts and lots of cinnamon. Although… Linda’s frozen chocolate bar and coffee sounds enticing!
Haruko on 20 Feb 2009 at 7:48 pm #
Strangely…I have been seriously contemplating the purchase of a waffle iron…but haven’t justified it enough to myself (or my husband) yet.
My favorite breakfast is fresh fruit (freshly washed and cut, not sitting in the fridge for a few days), yogurt and home-made granola. That is when I am at home.
My once ever treat of brunch at Jasper Park Lodge still lingers in my mind. Very tasty but very pricey…
Kirsten on 20 Feb 2009 at 7:52 pm #
How about chocolate?! I lived in Switzerland for a year as an exchange student (and, on the subject of chocolate, toured the Lindt factory which was amazing). I learned to love Nutella on zupfe, a braided white bread. Anyway, thanks to one of your earlier posts I had a jar of the BC hazelnut spread in the fridge and made a zupfe the other day, much to the delight of my kids. It’s not a very nutritious start to the day, but it certainly is a yummy once-in-a-while treat and brings back lots of memories.
piccola on 20 Feb 2009 at 8:10 pm #
Either:
Eggs in purgatory, sometimes with polenta or toast; or
Vegetarian congee, with ginger, dried shiitakes, spinach, scallion and a tiny bit of sesame oil
Jenn on 20 Feb 2009 at 8:47 pm #
MMMMMM!! Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day! I like making smoked salmon eggs Benedict with hash browns on days when I am in the mood for something very savory. Otherwise, most mornings I usually have homemade cereal and granola with fresh fruit from the farmer’s market and a giant chai tea.
Lindsay on 20 Feb 2009 at 8:54 pm #
Can I have 2 favorite breakfasts? Homemade crepes rolled up with whipped cream and grandmas frozen raspberries.
Ellen on 20 Feb 2009 at 8:59 pm #
breakfast is definitely my favorite meal of the day. i regularly sacrifice sleep to make sure i can fit it in! i have to say my favorite is what i eat pretty much everyday: oatmeal (or oatbran, multigrain hot cereal, etc.) cooked with vanilla, cinnamon, and banana. then i top it with plain yogurt, a drizzle of maple syrup, honey or jam, maybe some raisins, nuts, granola or berries. delicious, healthy and keeps me full for 4+ hours easily.
margo on 20 Feb 2009 at 9:23 pm #
My favorite “everyday” breakfast is an “al dente” version of oatmeal, which is how I finally learned to love oatmeal, full of all kinds of goodies: nuts, dates, fresh apple, honey or maple syrup (the real kind), cinnamon and ginger, flax, all ground up and nice and hot, with a really great strong cup of home brewed Tim Horton’s coffee. For a fancy schmancy breakfast, I love omelets and quiche, and bacon which I rarely eat, only as a treat. By the way, after a year of eating oatmeal nearly every day, my cholesterol was down to a near perfect level! Yummy and very healthy!
Erica B. on 20 Feb 2009 at 9:26 pm #
When I have the time(and calories aren’t being counted)? Probably oven baked brioche french toast, with maple syrup, mimosas, an americano and 30 uninterrupted minutes of quiet with the newspaper.
Margaret on 20 Feb 2009 at 9:29 pm #
Poached eggs on toast with salsa on top of it all
… or homemade muffins full of all the “good stuff”.
Heather on 20 Feb 2009 at 9:33 pm #
I have a great recipe for a bacon-potato frittata. It’s pretty filling, so it’s more of a brunch-type food on those rare occasions when I happen to have leftover cooked potatoes and bacon in the house at the same time.
Avery on 20 Feb 2009 at 9:57 pm #
My favourite breakfast (aside from the good ‘ol Workingman’s Breakfast at the Blackfoot Diner) would be what Mike and I had almost every morning during our honeymoon in Paris: toast fingers dipped into soft-boiled eggs with a “Noisette” on the side (sort of like a tiny cappucino)… heaven! Although, my favourite childhood breakfast was Sunny Boy (BTW, do you know who still sells it?) with a little milk and brown sugar!
Allison on 20 Feb 2009 at 10:04 pm #
My favorite breakfast is any that someone else is cooking for me! If I have to do it myself, I like the comfort food style – stratas, quiche or the utimately decadent start to the day Schwartzie’s potatoes (from Best of Bridge). I could be brought over to the other side and enjoy waffles with hazlenut spread – or is that too much?
Donna on 20 Feb 2009 at 11:52 pm #
Favorite breakfasts – poached eggs,toast, OJ and coffee.
Or – Dim Sum at the Silver Dragon
Or – any one of a number of wonderful breakfasts
at a B & B in Victoria or Kona.
Rose on 20 Feb 2009 at 11:54 pm #
My favourite breakfast is a crisped sprouted grain tortilla (under the broiler ’till it’s crisp) with crushed tomatoes, crumbled blue cheese and onions on top! Love it but I also like the sound of Linda’s coffee crisp and coffee…..
Rose
Elaine on 21 Feb 2009 at 2:03 am #
This winter, I’ve been making a weekly batch of the mushroom casserole from 101 cookbooks (subbing quinoa for brown rice, and using only cottage cheese instead of c.c. and sour cream); every morning, I throw a piece in the skillet, break an egg on top, and bake the whole thing.
But favorite, hands down? It’s got to be a good ol’ lox & bagel with tons of red onion, capers, and spinach.
Natalie (Michigan) on 21 Feb 2009 at 4:53 am #
Yeah! You made it through. Where can I watch the shows online?
breakfast…. sticky buns, pull apart rolls, raisin bread, cinnamon coffee cake… in other words… any carb with sugar on it. BUT I just finished a bowl of your new granola recipe. YUMMY. Granola is my favorite “be good to yourself” breakfast.
Stephanie on 21 Feb 2009 at 5:19 am #
Mmmmm.. scrambled eggs topped with sour cream, homemade salsa and old cheddar cheese…
Sandy on 21 Feb 2009 at 6:17 am #
My favorite breakfast- double smoked bacon,homemade hashbrowns and eggs. Eggs done anyway,scrambled,poached,fried,omlete,soft boiled, baked… doesn’t matter and Timmy’s coffee to sip along side.
Manon from Ontario on 21 Feb 2009 at 6:38 am #
Welcome home Julie, glad you’re back
How in the world did you manage to loose weight with your crazy schedule? Man I’d love to be below 200 today……but I’m still at 229.8 this morning, even if I cleaned the house for 3 hours yesterday, breaking a sweat, grrr, it’s getting nearly impossible to loose weight for me
Breakfast, hmmm, when I have time, Sunday mornings I usually make my special french toast recipe, with our maple sugar and maple syrup in the recipe, but just a little, with a fresh fruit salad, or I make my pancakes with fresh fruit in the middle, topped with vanilla yogurt, a coulis of chocolate sauce and maple syrup. And for my healthy weekly breakfast I make either the coupe cottage, which is cottage cheese, vanilla yogurt, fresh or frozen berries and topped with 1\4 granola, or the breakfast granola/egg recipe I put on your blog the other day.
Julie pls give me a clue on your daily routine to loosing weight please, I’m begging, I have to find a way out of my fat suit.
Love that you’re back.
MFO
Dolores on 21 Feb 2009 at 7:08 am #
My fav. breakfast – deep fried french toast with maple syrup. so so good, but so bad for you. So this is a special occasion item. I love waffles and borrow my sister’s waffle iron once in a while. Speaking of french toast. I saw this on t.v. It’s very good also- French toast after dipped, covered in rolled (fine) captain crunch cereal. I agree that Callebaut choc. hazelnut is to-die-for.
Kate on 21 Feb 2009 at 7:14 am #
Current favorite (changes with seasons, whims and latest discovery) is OJ to throughly wake me up to the scent of freshly brewed coffee. The coffee has to sidled up to a homemade scone. Top choices right now are Oatmeal Raisin or Orange. Love the nutty toasted flavor of the Oatmeal, but torn between the caramelized crunch of the sugar and zest in the Orange!
Cheryl on 21 Feb 2009 at 7:18 am #
Can I have two favourites? Omelet with feta, spinach, green onions is a popular choice around here, but steel-cut oats with flax and cinnamon is near and dear too.
Sue (London) on 21 Feb 2009 at 7:30 am #
Hi Julie. Congrats on getting past 200 – in the right direction! Can’t wait for Season 3 BTW.
My favourite breakfast is just simple pancakes. I discovered many years ago that making them from scratch was super easy and WAY WAY better than any mix in a box. A sprinkle of blueberries is a nice add-in to them as well.
Betty C on 21 Feb 2009 at 7:38 am #
I love breakfast-waffles, French toast, croissants, bacon & eggs, toast,Christmas morning wife saver, cereal, yogurt parfaits, you name it, especially if someone else is cooking. The only caveat – nothing with runny eggs – so no soft boiled, eggs benny, or sunny side up – all bad memories of not liking eggs as a child.
PS -Is there anything Bernard makes that is not good???
JulieVR on 21 Feb 2009 at 7:52 am #
You guys! I am blown away by some of the crazy ideas here! That’s so great. And no, BC does not make anything that’s not fantastic. And such high-quality… it’s such a shame when people mistake “Callebaut” chocolate for Bernard Callebaut – if it doesn’t say Bernard, it’s not Bernard Callebaut! (It’s Barry Callebaut – not the same thing!)
jenniferb on 21 Feb 2009 at 8:02 am #
I make home made museli all the time. the night before i soak cut oats in a little water and just leave them on the counter. When I get up I add nuts(whatever I have in the freezeer almonds, pecans seem to work best), fruit (usually berries…fresh or frozen) a tablespoon of non fat yogurt.If I have time a add some shredded apple or pear. Mix and put some cinnamon on it and it is perfect. My two year old loves to help me make it… and even better eat it. I used to have packaged oatmeal in the mornings, but found out it was actually crap for you, so I started making this!
Ellen on 21 Feb 2009 at 8:05 am #
A big bowl of fresh fruit salad topped with cottage cheese (although I admit I do also love cold leftover pizza if it’s available!)
V on 21 Feb 2009 at 8:37 am #
My favorite breakfast is Eggs Benedict. I don’t make it very often as I rarely have all the ingredients on hand.
elektra on 21 Feb 2009 at 8:54 am #
french toast made with a dark earthy loaf of bread, piled with mixed fruit. a terrific cup of coffee and the new york times is a splurge. electronic news is too utilitarian for decadent breakfast mornings, don’t you think?
Robin on 21 Feb 2009 at 9:05 am #
Aebleskivers! Filling depends. Usually cinnamon sugar apples with applesauce and whipped cream. But ham and cheese also a favourite. And I’m thinking (can’t believe I hadn’t before) that since my favourite crepes are Nutella-banana, that a little dollop of BC chocolate hazelnut spread and a slice of banana would be to die for!
Amanda on 21 Feb 2009 at 9:09 am #
brioche french toast. oh yes!
sue.d on 21 Feb 2009 at 9:20 am #
My ideal breakfast would need to span several hours to fit everything in. One favourite is crepes with berries and creme anglaise, bacon on the side. The other would be perfect poached eggs (soft for me), on home-made rustic bread, briefly sauteed spinach on the side, and maybe quite a small homemade cinnamon bun – very very sticky though. Need to get that sweet/savoury balance!
Erin on 21 Feb 2009 at 9:32 am #
hmmmm….breakfast is my favourite!! I’d have to say coffee and a gooey cinnamon bun in the sun on the patio. Pretty much anything in the sun right now I’m a little deprived of sunlight this winter. I also love poached eggs on toast. I’ve always wanted a waffle iron but can never bring myself to buy one. My parents still have an use the one they’ve owned my entire 31 years…and it works great
Janice S on 21 Feb 2009 at 9:58 am #
I have been following your blog off and on for a while now and I love how you are just so real. I too have found that a bit of dark chocolate regularly is not only good for the soul but for the scale too! Way to go on the weight loss! Wade and I recieved a waffle iron as a wedding shower gift 13 yrs ago and it is the most useful gift we got! My fave breakfast is all about protien. Eggs over easy, crispy bacon, buttered whole wheat toast (preferably homeade), a few slices of tomato (an Ontario thing) and a good dollop of ketchup to mop into everything with the toast!
Janice S on 21 Feb 2009 at 10:14 am #
Oh…and important to add. The eggs should be fried in a bit of the bacon grease (a bit!), in my dad’s 20 yr old cast iron pan and the whole breakfast ideally enjoyed on the deck of my dad’s cottage in Ontario staring out at the lake….THAT is my favorite breakfast!
Larissa on 21 Feb 2009 at 10:21 am #
omelets are definitely my favorite breakfast. especially alongside some hashbrowns, with plenty of ketchup. especially if this is all made for me by someone else (one can dream right?). ps i love chocolate!! i mean who doesnt really?
JL on 21 Feb 2009 at 10:40 am #
Raisin bread french toast.
Amy on 21 Feb 2009 at 10:41 am #
At home, I love pancakes (I am always looking for new recipes) and bacon. If there is extra time, home fries are an treat. Good strong coffee with all this is a must!
Kathy on 21 Feb 2009 at 10:46 am #
Note to self: Stop @ Bernard to get some real chocolate-hazelnut spread. Make a batch of waffles upon which to use said spread (or toast, or on a spoon, this might send me to the moon to paraphrase Dr. Seuss).
Fav breakfast: Home made granola (your recipe actually Julie!)
Vivian on 21 Feb 2009 at 1:46 pm #
One of our favorite breakfasts is an Indian twist on Eggs Florentine. The recipe comes from Meena Patak and features black mustard seeds which “pop” in the hot oil, onion, garlic, tomato and a dash of chili powder. Spinach is sauteed in this and the eggs are nestled in hollows to cook. It’s then topped with cilantro (or parsley if you like). I love to explore exotic recipes and this one was a hit.
Sue on 21 Feb 2009 at 2:49 pm #
I eat homemade granola with berries and yogurt every morning except Sundays… when I venture into the land of eggs or french toast. My family’s current favorite is the Safeway Artisan Raisin Pecan bread made into french toast (with a bit of vanilla and cinammon added). I just stopped by Prairie Mill bakery for some cinnamon raisin bread to try tomorrow. They also make an apple caramel bread that I thought would be totally decadent, but alas they were sold out of it. Maybe I’ll pick up some BC chocolate-hazlenut spread as my consolation…..:)
Pat from Ontario on 21 Feb 2009 at 3:55 pm #
My favourite breakfast is on Saturday mornings after I get weighed in at WW. It’s 2 eggs, crisp bacon and rye toast. Normally, I have Shredded wheat with skim milk and a fruit. I enjoy waffles more than pancakes, so this Tuesday is Waffle Tuesday, instead of Pancake Tuesday. Oh, but there’s a problem. I have no waffle iron~~~ drat!
Katharine on 21 Feb 2009 at 4:04 pm #
Amy should totally win, because kidneys are totally gross for any mealtime. Not just breakfast.
I’m a huge Nutella fan but sadly, I do know how horrific it is for you. Sniff sniff….
I also LOVE Electric Six. One of my most fav bands ever!
Andrea on 21 Feb 2009 at 4:16 pm #
Ever since our trip to thailand, thai-style roti has been my favourite breakfast. The Roti is rolled out crepe-thin, then topped with bananas (or whatever filling you like), fried in a little butter and folded into a crispy envelope, drizzled with condensed milk and chocolate syrup. Definitely a low-calorie breakfast!!!
Lisa on 21 Feb 2009 at 5:05 pm #
Mmm… weekdays my favorite breakfast is either is a banana/berry/yogurt smoothie, slurped back in the car enroute to work, or porridge if I can keep my snooze button usage to a minimum…
French toast on weekends, with more butter and maple syrup than I know is good for me, with a side of crispy bacon. It’s even better if I’ve managed to make it to an early morning deep water workout class first…
Pat on 21 Feb 2009 at 5:17 pm #
My favourite breakfast is thick, crispy french toast, smothered in real strawberry slices, toasted pecans and sour cream drowning in REAL maple syrup. Second favourite is warm croissants with smeared in MAPLE butter alongside of sliced pineapple. Do you notice a maple syrup theme? It places a close second to chocolate as one of my favourite foods ever.
Note both these breakfasts are best served with a Mimosa and a Tim’s coffee. And several friends who oohh and aahh at the appropriate times…
Barbara on 21 Feb 2009 at 5:53 pm #
The most important part of any breakfast is coffee. Then scrambled eggs cooked by someone else, hash browns, and a just a little bit of bacon. #2 favorite is French toast cooked by someone else, with real maple syrup and just a little bit of bacon.
Nancy G on 21 Feb 2009 at 6:56 pm #
I may have to change my favourite breakfast to your recipe in Grazing for bagels Julie!!! My sister made several batches today and they were so delicious. Has anyone else attempted these?! Once you do, I don’t think you will ever buy a store bought bagel again!
Bonnie on 21 Feb 2009 at 7:09 pm #
Oh my gosh Julie — if you thought the sumo wrestlers doing their thing to Danger! High Voltage was something you’ve gotta watch the video by Electric Six (it’s on YouTube). Yikes! Anyway, not really a breakfast person so I’m content with cereal or a smoothie or yogurt with fresh (or frozen) berries and granola on top. Boring eh. But I did watch the entire Electric Six video so I do sort of live dangerously – ha ha
Fiona on 21 Feb 2009 at 7:55 pm #
My favorite breakfast – pancakes (just butter, no syrup), eggs (over easy) and veggie sausage with a giant fruit salad on the side. All washed down with a big coffee.
That said, I made a bagelegg after a 10K run this morning and it’s quite possible it was the best thing I have ever eaten. I saved the other half of the bagel to make another one tomorrow.
Avery on 21 Feb 2009 at 8:39 pm #
I was just reminded of the Best Breakfast Ever…. that piece of toast with strawberry jam they gave me immediately after giving birth to my daughter. It was the best damn toast of my life.
Laura on 21 Feb 2009 at 9:53 pm #
My favorite breakfast is pumpkin oatmeal pancakes with toppings of warm maple syrup, homemade apple sauce, hazelnut butter and a dollop of pumpkin yogurt (Lucerne made this special edition yogurt during the holidays). Along with barely cooked scrambled eggs and a side of crispy turkey bacon its a breakfast that is total comfort food to me but doesn’t make me feel like I just ate a Denny’s lumberjack special!
angiebean on 21 Feb 2009 at 10:25 pm #
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I never skip it. My favorite would have to be:
Weekend:
Cappucino extra frothy (with skim milk)
Blueberry pancakes with blueberry mush on top.
Blueberries are frozen, but picked last summer.
Blueberry mush is just the frozen berries microwaved for 1 minute.
Plus the newspaper.
Weekday:
Coffee
Eggbeaters or eggwhites made in the microwave with salsa, pepper, salt, & oregano, sprinkled with romano cheese on a toasted english muffin. Eaten in the car.
Carol on 22 Feb 2009 at 6:19 am #
cinnamon toast from Glen Eagle bakery in Dartmouth, peanut butter and brown sugar – I really don’t have much of a sweet tooth…except for this.
Colleen on 22 Feb 2009 at 8:35 am #
Oh my. How hard is this? I love, love, love breakfast. Sweet…savoury, you name it. One thing I really love but haven’t made in a while is oatmeal cooked with a smidge of vanilla, cinnamon, a bit of chopped apple and banana, a spoonful of chopped nuts (pecans are my favourite) with a heaping tablespoon of canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling). Serious yum factor and very filling.
Note to Avery: You can get Sunnyboy in Sobeys in the cereal aisle.
Tina on 22 Feb 2009 at 10:01 am #
Muesli or a fruit smoothie. Weekends are usually pancakes or waffles. German apple pancakes a la my mother-in-law are an occasional treat, or crepes when my husband feels moved to make them…filled with homemade jam, with a little sugar “snow” on top.
LisaMer on 22 Feb 2009 at 2:41 pm #
I’ll preface this by saying that I LOVE Bernard, but, have you been to Choklat yet? My sister got me some truffles for my stocking for Christmas and MY GOD they were outstanding!
As for breakfast, I’m with everyone else. I love all things breakfast and I especially love going out for breakfast. I’ll do greasy spoon or something a little more upscale. We stayed at the Long Beach Lodge in Tofino on our honeymoon (7 years ago!!) and I will never forgot the mind-blowing, homemade yogurt and granola. I love my Mom’s pancake recipe, but I’ll always pick French toast when out for breakfast.
JulieVR on 22 Feb 2009 at 2:53 pm #
I have tried Choklat (truffles and bars), and to be honest I wasn’t all that impressed.
Also, I really have an issue with the way they go to such lengths to misrepresent (bash) Bernard Callebaut chocolate on their website, likening it to Nestle and Hershey’s, saying that they “buy bulk chocolate, melt it down and call it “theirs” right on their home page – there is really no need for that sort of thing.
There is room in Calgary for everyone to play – and no reason to promote your own product by slandering others. Especially one that has worked so hard over the past 25 years to earn their position as a Calgary icon, one that has won so many awards, contributes so much to the community, and goes to great lengths to source out the very best ingredients for his chocolates.
I really don’t have much interest in supporting that kind of company.
RMB on 22 Feb 2009 at 4:24 pm #
My favourite breakfast is Eggs Benedict. I have a make-ahead recipe, but is 6 servings, so only make when have a big crew over.
Just wanted to let you know about this recipe, which looks delicious, although I haven’t had time to make it yet:
http://bakingbites.com/2009/02/nutella-oatmeal-thins/
Also, she has a recipe for home-made Nutella.
However, seeing as I’m in Calgary, I’ll be using BC’s version to make these.
BTW, have been to Weigh 2 Go — what a great place! The owners were very helpful in looking up whether their products contained gluten for me.
Anita on 22 Feb 2009 at 6:28 pm #
Will you be attempting to post a recipe inwhich we at home could make a type of the BC Chocolate spread. I would love to offer my children a better alternative to the nutella that we buy once in a very blue moon.
Michele on 22 Feb 2009 at 7:44 pm #
I am one of the breakfast-addicted people, and my two (now twenty-something) daughters accuse me of having ruined their chances at being cool, coffee-and-a-croissant breakfasters by always serving them fruit, oatmeal, and combinations of eggs, bacon, hash browns, sausages and french toast (and of course Nutella) in the morning. But my favourite breakfast? My guilty pleasure would be to reproduce the ones I used to eat at transport cafes in England in the 70′s: fried eggs on toast with over-cooked sausages, french fries, and tinned baked beans. Yum! (Needless to say, it has been a long time…)
LisaMer on 22 Feb 2009 at 8:08 pm #
Okay, so I had to go and check out Choklat’s website. So not cool. =P
I’m so sad that Co-op stopped selling BC chocolate bars, though it’s probably better for my weight loss journey not to have them so readily available!
DJ on 22 Feb 2009 at 8:11 pm #
MMMMMMM, BC chocolate. I just finished my last BC valentine chocolate yesterday. My husband buys them for me every year.
Favorite breakfast is sunny side up fried eggs with homemade bread, toasted to dip in the runny yolks.
Back to reality though, I haven’t had that in years as I have a child with an egg allergy
Rose M. on 22 Feb 2009 at 9:49 pm #
Hard to choose, but it would have to be fresh made cheese scones with marmalade. And of course coffee..
Natalie on 23 Feb 2009 at 5:50 am #
My favorite breakfast is one that my boyfriend will make for me every once in a while, and it is a REAL indulgence! He makes crepes stuffed with strawberries and marscapone cheese. It is truly to die for, and my mouth is salivating just thinking out them!
H.Peter on 23 Feb 2009 at 6:42 am #
There is something better than NUTELLA?
I am in!
Anne on 23 Feb 2009 at 6:49 am #
My favorite breakfast would have to be an omlete any kind but the best is goat cheese and chive, some hash browns and a fruit salad… of course a cup of strong coffee and good coversation makes it complete!
Kathryn on 23 Feb 2009 at 8:08 am #
My favourite breakfast would be poached eggs, brown toast, and fried tomatoes. It is not something that I generally have time for. This time of year, I find cream of wheat comforting, and, having run out of cream of wheat, discovered red river cereal is pretty good too.
Wow the hazelnut spread looks divine.
Kathryn
Toronto
Corine on 23 Feb 2009 at 8:08 am #
My favorite breakfast is crepes with fruit that has been cooked down all gooey, almost jelly like, and lots of whipped cream. I only get to have it when my mom makes it, and since I haven’t lived at home for 12 years, it hasn’t been very often. Maybe when I see her in 2 weeks!!
Evelyn on 23 Feb 2009 at 8:22 am #
I thought my favourite was Eggs Benedict Florentine, but there are some pretty amazing things mentioned here. I also love fresh fruit with yoghurt and a bagel and thick whipped cream cheese topped with more berries. And a really good coffee.
erin on 23 Feb 2009 at 8:33 am #
My favourite breakfast is plain old pancakes and syrup that I tend to make at least once on the weekend. I don’t think this is actually my favourite breakfast food, but I do love how fast this is becoming a tradition with my two boys.
Amy on 23 Feb 2009 at 8:41 am #
My favourite breakfast is eggs benedict! I order it every time we go out for breakfast.
Kate on 23 Feb 2009 at 8:43 am #
My favourite breakfast is lots and lots of cofee, eggs, bacon, hash browns – the works, shared with my husband, all while reading the morning paper – this only happens once in a blue moon, but it is my favorite breakfast activity!
Rachael S on 23 Feb 2009 at 9:16 am #
Hi Julie and the gang.
My fav. breakfast is blueberry pancakes/waffels, but with fresh, not frozen berries and real maple syrup. I can’t wait for the summer to get my fresh blue berry fix. I’m also partial to poached eggs and buttered toast. I heart breakfast.
@ Avery – If your on the west coast, you can get Sunnyboy at Safeway too!
Leah on 23 Feb 2009 at 10:50 am #
Vanilla yogurt with granola and ground flax, and any random fruit that’s kicking around the fridge.
Oh, and leftover spaghetti or fried rice if I have any!
Lana on 23 Feb 2009 at 12:17 pm #
I LOVE breakfast and find it hard to pick a favourite but one that was deliciously memorable was at the Southwest Diner near Lake Mead, Nevada after an overnight pitstop in Vegas. It was called the Southwest Breakfast Sandwich and consisted of toasted sourdough bread with fried egg, bacon, cheese and avocado. Served with salsa and sour cream and a big coffee. OMG. I have tried to duplicate but am lacking the desert heat and Vegas hangover which I believe were necessary ingredients.
If I ever fulfill my dream of a b&b, this will be on the menu.
So fitting for Ontario winters, don’t you think?
LaurieDee on 23 Feb 2009 at 1:25 pm #
When we were kids my mom made a breakfast birthday cake for my sister, whose birthday landed on the day we left for overnight camp. Mom made an entire loaf of peanut butter and banana sandwiches, and then iced the whole thing with Nutella. OMG. We all thought it was great, but the birthday girl barfed halfway through the 4+ hour drive to camp. On a crowded school bus. In the middle of July.
Kathy on 23 Feb 2009 at 2:50 pm #
by the way, I had the most amazing granola for breakfast at the Lady MacDonald Inn in Canmore on Family Day. their cinnamon buns were awesome too (I had a small piece).
Sujata on 23 Feb 2009 at 10:03 pm #
My husband makes the best paper-thin onion&jalapeno omelets and they are one of my favorite breakfast items.
Love your blog; thanks for keeping us entertained and in the loop.
Suzanne on 24 Feb 2009 at 9:27 am #
The simplicity and comfort of a toasted bagel topped with freshly sliced tomatoes, old cheddar cheese and dried oregano/sea salt. Bliss.
Tami on 24 Feb 2009 at 10:41 am #
I absolutely love eggs benedict. I even attempted to make it at home once, but the eggs stuck to the bottom of the pan and the sauce wasn’t that great either…very disappointing.
Bev on 24 Feb 2009 at 8:11 pm #
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day so it is hard to pick one favorite food out of that meal! I always wake up hungry and imagine what I will have to start the day. On lazy days, french toast is often a choice. On busy days, yogurt with fresh berries or a big bowl of frosted mini wheats, believe it or not.
Great to see you are blogging now and then..
Adrienne on 25 Feb 2009 at 8:30 am #
My favorite breakfast that I only have time to make on some weekends is scrambled eggs with cheddar, hash browns (preferably McCain’s patties), ham and turkey bacon and whole grain toast with PB & J, finishing off with a cup of coffee that I lounge on the couch with while my boyfriend does the dishes.
jennifer on 25 Feb 2009 at 7:48 pm #
the breakfast i would like is, banana pancakes made with some flax; omelettes; fresh orange juice; rye toast with butter; lattes; hashbrowns too!!!!
you would need lots of time to eat this let alone make it all….that is my wishful breakfast!
i remember going in that chocolate store, and had a really good chocolate that had ginger pieces in it! yummy
boy is this a record for number of comments?!!!
way to go julie on that weight loss~