Alright, let’s gab about this “poor French breakfast,” or whatever them fancy folks call it. Don’t get me wrong, I ain’t never been to France, but I seen enough on that TV thingy to know a thing or two.
What them French folks eat for breakfast, anyhow?
Now, from what I gather, them Frenchies don’t go for big ol’ breakfasts like we do here. No sirree. They keep it kinda light and sweet, you know? Like, maybe a little bit of cereal – the kind that comes in a box, I reckon. And then they got this “tartine” thing. Sounds fancy, but it’s just a piece of bread with somethin’ on it. Maybe some jam, or butter, or even a little bit of that chocolate spread the grandkids like.
- Cereal: Just the regular stuff, nothin’ special.
- Tartine: Bread with jam, butter, or somethin’ sweet.
- Drink: Coffee, tea or juice.
And of course, they gotta have somethin’ to wash it all down. Coffee, mostly. Or maybe some tea. Them French folks love their coffee, I tell ya. Strong stuff, too, not like that watery stuff they serve at the diner down the road.
What they DON’T eat, that’s the real kicker!
Now, here’s the thing. You might think them French folks are all about crepes and pancakes for breakfast, right? Wrong! That’s more of a weekend thing, or maybe for lunch or supper. Nope, they stick to that simple stuff I told ya about. And you won’t see no big plates of bacon and eggs, neither. Or sausage. Or that black pudding stuff the British folks eat. Yuck!
Why so simple, you ask? Well, lemme tell ya…
I reckon it’s ’cause they eat a big lunch later on. And dinner, too. So, breakfast is just a little somethin’ to tide ‘em over. Plus, them French folks, they like to take their time with their food. They don’t rush things like we do. They sit down, they chat, they enjoy their little bit of bread and coffee. It’s a whole thing, you know? A time to “recharge”, as them city folks say, and talk to each other.
So, how can we poor folks eat like the French, even if it’s just for breakfast?
Well, shoot, it ain’t that hard. Just grab a piece of bread, slap some jam on it, and pour yourself a cup of coffee. Boom! You’re eating like a French person. Okay, maybe not exactly, but close enough. And you know what? It’s actually pretty good. It’s light, it’s tasty, and it don’t leave you feeling all stuffed and sluggish.
And what about them fancy “French elements”?
Now, them fancy articles talk about “incorporating some delightful French elements” into your breakfast. Don’t let ’em fool ya. It just means adding a little somethin’ extra. Maybe a little bit of cheese on your bread. Or some ham. Or maybe, just maybe, you could try one of them croissant thingies if you’re feelin’ fancy. But honestly, just keeping it simple is the real French way, I figure. It ain’t about how much you spend, it’s about enjoyin’ what you got.
Let’s keep it real, though. This ain’t no gourmet feast.
At the end of the day, it’s just breakfast, right? It ain’t gotta be complicated. And it sure don’t gotta be expensive. A simple, sweet, and satisfying breakfast is all you need to get your day started. So, whether you call it a “poor French breakfast” or just plain breakfast, it don’t really matter. Just enjoy it, and be thankful for what you got. That’s what I always say.
In the old days, they called it somethin’ else.
You know, it’s funny. Back in the day, “dejeuner,” which means breakfast in French, used to just mean that, breakfast. But then them fancy pants nobles started gettin’ up real late, so “dejeuner” became lunch, and “diner” became dinner. So, they had to come up with “petit dejeuner” – that just means “little breakfast” – to describe the mornin’ meal. See? Even them fancy folks started out with a simple breakfast!
Ham it up, sometimes!
And sometimes, them French folks do eat ham for breakfast. Or some other cured meats like that prosciutto stuff. It ain’t every day, mind you, but it happens. And of course, they always got their coffee or maybe some hot chocolate for the young’uns.
So, there you have it. A poor woman’s guide to a French breakfast. It ain’t fancy, but it’s good. And it’s a whole lot better than nothin’, that’s for sure.
Tags: [French Breakfast, Simple Breakfast, France, Food, Morning Meal, Tartine, Coffee]
