Scrambled eggs with cheese and tomatoes

Versión en español

In my family and many Chilean homes, scrambled eggs are something we eat every day or at least every other day. My usual weekend breakfast as a child was a “marraqueta“ (a kind of bread similar to the French baguette) with scrambled eggs.

Another classic was returning from the beach to a pan of these scrambled eggs with cheese and tomatoes. Made with eggs and cheese from local farms and tomatoes from the garden, for me, they are insuperable.

My grandfather always had eggs for breakfast, adding whatever leftover meat, ham, onion, and sausage were available.

Chilean breakfasts at hotels are often hearty and diverse, reflecting the country’s rich culinary heritage. While no fixed traditional Chilean breakfast exists, some items are commonly enjoyed throughout the country:

• Huevos: Eggs are a common breakfast item in Chile, and they can be prepared in various ways, such as scrambled “revueltos,” fried, or in an omelet. 
• Café con Leche or Te: Chileans often enjoy coffee with milk (café con leche) or tea (usually black or herbal) with breakfast.
• Cereal or Oats: Many Chileans consume cereals or oats with milk or yogurt and sometimes add fruits such as bananas or berries for extra flavor and nutrition.
• Bread: Bread is an everyday breakfast staple in Chile. Various bread, including Hallullas, Marraquetas, or Tostadas is often paired with different types of cheese, such as fresh white cheese Queso Fresco or Mantecoso cheese similar to Havarti, avocado, jam, and butter.
• Juices: Freshly squeezed fruit juices, such as orange, papaya, pineapple, and mango juice, are popular in Chilean breakfasts, providing a refreshing start to the day.

In the US, it is our custom on Sunday afternoons to have “once” with our kids. We often make bread at home, which in Chile is unusual, but we have adopted it in our ritual, and the other thing always at the table next to bread is a skillet with scrambled eggs.

Another Chilean scrambled egg popular in Chile is Huevos revueltos con cebolla (Onion Scrambled eggs).

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