What do Thais eat for breakfast? I got to thinking about this not so easy to answer question the other day. I starting recalling the numerous trips to Thailand over the last 20 years and all the different breakfasts we ate. It isn't like the US where it's cold cereal and milk, bacon and eggs, or say pancakes in the morning - unless in a Bangkok Western Hotel.

For complete article and accompanying photos:

http://ifood.tv/blog/thai_breakfasts_part_1

In Thailand it is common to grab breakfast and most meals from street cooks. They place your food in small plastic bags, or you can sit on low small stools and eat at child-size tables nearby.

In Thailand there are some dishes popular for breakfast but generally it is often the left overs from last nights dinner. Almost always savoury dishes. Often a soup-type bowl.

This will be the first part of the series "What do Thais Eat for Breakfast" as it is a very long list of dishes. The first and very popular breakfast choice is a soup (tom) dish Khao Tom. Another traditional breakast dish in Thailand is a thick rice soup made with pork and or pork parts. It is similiar to the Chinese Congee or Jook also a rice soup.

Khao Tom (Thai Rice Soup)

12 cups pork or chicken stock
4 tsp grated fresh gingerroot
4 lg shallots; minced
2 stalk lemon grass; 2" pieces
1 1/4 cups Thai Hom Mali Jasmine rice
1 lb ground lean pork
1/4 cup Nam Pla (Thai fish sauce)


Garnish:

sliced shallots deep-fried
sprigs of fresh cilantro
pickled salted radish
sliced green onions

Roasted Thai Chile flakes

Nam Pla Phrik (chiles sliced in fish sauce)

Method:
In a large stock pot combine boiling stock with ginger, shallots, lemon grass, add rice. Optional pair of fresh Kaffir Lime leaves (bai magroot).

Return to a boil, lower heat and gently simmer, stirring
occasionally, for 30 to 35 minutes, or until rice is very soft.

Remove and discard lemon grass. Add the pork (form into little meatballs) and simmer 5-8 minutes more until pork is cooked.

Finish with fish sauce to taste. *Reminder use a good brand such as Golden Boy!

Garnish with scallions, deep fried shallots and cilantro.

Variations: Add a raw egg to each bowl, or a salted egg half. Salted eggs are availble at Asian markets. You also can soft poach the egg as it ill not completey cook w added to the bowl of oup

I will continue this serious of Thai Breakasts with recipes of rice noodle soups, egg dishes, fried rice dshes, and such enjoyed by Thais for breakfast.