How Can an American Easily Make an English Breakfast?

The English breakfast is one of the most beloved and hearty meals around the world. However, if you're an American living in the States and craving a proper English breakfast, it's not as difficult as you think!

Navigating the American-English Border with Your Breakfast Staples

First and foremost, head over to the UK and stock up on high-quality ingredients. Look for eggs, sausages, back bacon, bread, and baked beans. Supermarket own-brand products often provide the best value for money. Once you have your supplies, it's time to get creative and turn them into a full English breakfast back home.

Sourcing the Essentials in the USA

Returning to the United States, smuggle your purchases across the border if necessary. Many of the key ingredients for an English breakfast can be sourced in the USA, albeit with a bit of effort. Make a trip to Wholefoods or a local grocery store to pick up tomatoes and mushrooms. Ensure you wash them thoroughly before use.

The Essential Ingredients

While you may struggle to find black pudding and decent Cumberland sausages, smoked back bacon is widely available and should suffice. There's no need to include streaky bacon, which would be an "abomination" in this context. Keep an eye out for HP Houses of Parliament Sauce if you can find it. The key to a great English breakfast is getting your bacon right—thick cut and proper, whether it's smoked or unsmoked, is up to your preference.

Additional Tips for Customization

Proper baked beans are essential. Look for those that aren't pumped full of sugar. A single pan dish combines everything, making the process simple yet satisfying: grill or fry some bacon and sausages, fry a couple of slices of black pudding, heat beans through in a pan, and fry a couple of eggs, ensuring they have runny yolks. For a special touch, cook some button mushrooms in butter until they soak it up like a sponge. Grilled or fried tomatoes, cut in half, can also add a nice, loose-skinned texture. Hash browns are a fitting addition to the meal.

Comparing English and American Breakfasts

When considering the full English breakfast, it's not a stretch for an American to make one. In fact, the American breakfast culture revolves around indulgence, with items like bacon, pancakes, and waffles. Interestingly, an English full breakfast isn't all that different from its American counterpart. If you're craving a more Scottish breakfast, options like Lorne sausage, black pudding, haggis, and a tattie scone are worth exploring but may be out of reach in the USA.

While the protein quality and preparation methods of American bacon may not match those of a traditional English breakfast, the core elements remain the same. The essence of each component—thick-cut bacon, sausages, black pudding, and certain types of baked beans—remains consistent between both cuisines.

Conclusion

The English breakfast is not just for the British; with a bit of ingenuity and the right ingredients, an American can recreate this hearty meal at home. By sourcing the best available ingredients and following the proper cooking methods, you can enjoy a delicious and authentic English breakfast right in your own kitchen. Whether you prefer the classic stack of bacon and beans or want to experiment with other traditional British ingredients, the key is to get those essential components right.