My favourite Christmas breakfast has been a tradition in my family for a long time: potica. Not to be confused with “pizza” (as Melania Trump did in 2017 when Pope Francis referenced this specialty from her home country), this dessert is pronounced “po-TEETS-uh,” although “POT-ik-uh” is heard as well. It’s dry, crumbly, and messy, but paired with a glass of milk, this spiced, rolled Slovenian walnut bread is a deliciously sweet holiday breakfast.
Traditionally served at both Easter and Christmas, potica remains a popular dessert among US families of Slovenian descent. My family hasn’t kept many European traditions as my great-great-grandparents moved to the US over a hundred years ago – but I’m glad that we’ve kept this yummy one, which never fails to spark excitement during the holiday season.
If you want to make one yourself, an official Slovenian recipe can be found here: Walnut Potica Be warned, though: rising the dough, spreading it out, filling, and rolling can take half a day, and the better part of your counter space!
Elizabeth Meade
In our family, breakfast has never been the main meal of the day, but during the Christmas holidays we forget about how late for work we are and we indulge in a sugar-loaded ‘brekkie’ that powers us for the rest of the day.
As always coffee cannot be spared, but for my uncles and I ‘Colacao’ is the way to go. This is the Spanish brand equal to ‘Nesquik’, but better, as it leaves chocolate bubbles at the top of the drink after you mix the powder.
Once the drinks are served, the next thing is to choose the ample select of pastries, including the magnificent Panettonne, an Italian bun with raisins or chocolate chips. My family and I have now mastered the art of dipping buns into our chocolate milk without it crumbling to pieces.
Of course, I couldn’t leave out the Three King’s Cake. This ringed-shape delicacy is typically eaten during the morning of the 7th of January (after opening the Christmas presents). Within the bun there’s a bean, and whoever finds it, is forced to pay for the cake.
All these chocolate-related foods are key to make the best family festive breakfast.
Alex Gervas