What you see before you is the American approximation of a typical Guatemalan breakfast—eggs, black beans, toast, and juice. Eggs are usually scrambled, the black beans can take several forms—here they are refried and served with sour cream. In Guatemala, beans and eggs are often served with a dry, crumbly cheese that reminds me a little of the parmesan cheese you buy in a container to shake on pizza.
This is a humble meal and the daily breakfast fare for many people in Guatemala. I asked my husband once (a born and bred Guatemalan) if he ever got tired of eating the same thing every day. He said he didn’t know any different so he never thought about it. At the time I thought it was weird and a little sad to eat the same thing day after day—but then I took a look at my kids, who are perfectly content to have a bowl of instant oatmeal every day. There are other options, but they are creatures of habit and content with what they have. I don’t know much about other breakfast options in Guatemala or if there really are any, but if the food is good, cheap, filling, and satisfying—does it matter?
If someone fixed this for me for breakfast everyday, I would eat it. A little salsa would be a great bonus, if I could get it. Alas, the part of my life where someone else will make breakfast for me seems to be long past.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo, by the way.