10 Breakfast Recipes Fit for a King

"Colazione da re, pranzo da principe, cena da povero"

Italian Aphorism

"Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a poor person"

If I had to pick just one saying to sum up a healthful eating philosophy that has stood the test of time, that might be it. Modern Italian breakfasts are quite small, so the evolution of the popular saying is a mystery to many. It wasn't always that way, however. In the past, Italians who lived in rural communities and had farms always enjoyed large breakfasts in order to sustain themselves through the physical activities of the day.

Nowadays, the average Italian starts the day with a quick and delicious, albeit calorie-laden cornetto, (the croissant's Italian counterpart made with a sour dough starter and often stuffed with pastry cream or chocolate), a slice of pound cake or sponge cake with preserves, biscotti, or bomboloni (fresh, cream filled doughnuts). While eating some of those treats is a decadent treat, most people believe that by eating them in the morning, you have the whole day to burn the calories off. A great way "to have your cake, and eat it too", isn't it?

This is National Breakfast Week, and I've put together this collection of breakfast recipes for all tastes and schedules. Some of them are so tasty and comforting (like the blueberry pancakes), that I find myself eating them for dinner! I hope that you enjoy these recipes as much as I do, and that they help you begin your day on a delicious note!

Cranberry, White Chocolate, and Pistachio Biscotti