Cheese for Breakfast

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It can also be your best when you prepare it with a little love and your favorite cheese. Just imagine waking for work or school with a cheddar and Parmesan omelet or hash browns topped with chevre.

Since cheese is a good source of protein it’s a great way to start the day, especially for growing children and adolescents. Research has continually shown that eating breakfast improves concentration, problem solving ability, memory, and mood. So chipper up, a bite of toast with melted Gruyere may be all you need to get through Monday morning.

Here are some quick and easy ways to enjoy cheese for breakfast:

Eggs

Pita Pocket

Scramble a few egg whites and shredded Cheddar with chopped mushrooms, onions, and peppers. Stuff into toasted halves of pita bread and wrap in foil if you're on the go.

Greek Omelet

Chop spinach leaves, red onion, garlic and tomatoes and sauté in a skillet over medium heat until tender. Beat eggs with just a touch of water and pour over the spinach mixture. As eggs set, use a spatula to life the omelet and let the uncooked portion flow underneath. When almost set, sprinkle with crumbled Feta cheese and cook another minute until set.

Breakfast Burrito

Top a flour tortilla with scrambled eggs and a bit of salsa and grated Cheddar.

Southwestern Breakfast Pizza

Scramble eggs with a bit of milk and some sliced green onions. Place a prepared pizza crust on a baking sheet and spread with salsa. Top with scrambled eggs, strips of cooked bacon and shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican Queso. Bake at 200ºC for 10 minutes.

Spreads and Dips

Cream Cheese Swirl

Swirl cream cheese with chocolate spread, jam or lemon curd and smear on toast.

Ricotta Fruit Dip

Blend ricotta cheese with a touch of orange juice, sugar, and fresh orange zest. Dip with strawberries, melon or the breakfast fruits of your choice.

Cinnamon Raisin Cheese Spread

In a food processor, blend equal parts cream cheese and cottage cheese. Add a sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar and stir in a handful of raisins. Chill in the refrigerator and serve with toast or pancakes.

Bagels and Toast

Toast with Stilton and Apricots

Lightly toast slices of brioche, challah or panettone and spread one side with butter. Top with canned apricot halves and a slice of white Stilton with cranberries, or Wensleydale with pear and ginger. Sprinkle with a bit of sugar and grill until cheese melts.

Cheese and Banana Bagels

Toast bagels and top with a spoonful of cottage cheese, banana slices and a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar.

Brie and Chicken Bagels

Split bagels and layer one half with roasted chicken and a slice of Brie or Camembert. Add a dollop of cranberry sauce, and place the other bagel half on top. Cook bagels on a baking sheet at 180ºC for 10 minutes, or until the cheese begins to melt.

Toast with Cheesy Toppings

The combinations are deliciously endless! Try these unique ideas:

• Mascarpone, fresh raspberries and honey.
• Brie, cherries, pecans and a sprinkle of sugar.
• Blue cheese and fig spread.
• Parmesan cheese and butter (or Italian dressing).
• Camembert and a drizzle of maple syrup.
• Sharp Cheddar cheese and bitter orange marmalade.

Now that’s what we cheese lovers like to call a good morning.