Continental breakfast
with hot chocolate, croissants and juice
Continental breakfasts refer to the simple repasts of continental Europe. There, breakfast is not as large a meal as is often seen in the United States where pancake and waffle houses can be found in every city in the county. The light fare of a continental breakfast is typically served cold. It might be offered by hotels as a service to their guests without the hotel having to set out a full hot buffet.
Starches
Breads and pastries are staples of a continental breakfast. Breads might include simple rolls, bagels or toast with butter and jam or cream cheese. Muffins are offered at some continental breakfasts. Pastries to serve for a continental breakfast could include Danish, cinnamon rolls, turnovers, bear claws, croissants or scones. Sometimes doughnuts are offered with the pastries.
Beverages
Both hot and cold drinks are offered with a continental breakfast. Simply brewed hot tea and regular and decaf coffee are requisite, but many continental breakfasts also offer hot chocolate. Cold drinks to serve with a continental breakfast might include orange juice, milk or apple juice. If serving cereal, milk is a necessity. Serving more elaborate coffee drinks such as espressos, cappuccinos and lattes is optional. When serving hot tea and coffees, nondairy creamer as well as cream, and sugar and artificial sweeteners should be offered to allow diners to customize their drinks to their own preferences.
Other Options
Single-serve boxes of cereal are available at some continental breakfasts. Fresh seasonal fruit served with or without yogurt could be offered, but these will need to be kept chilled to prevent spoilage. Lox and cream cheese could be served if bagels are offered, and a cheese platter could accompany the fruit.
Tags: continental breakfast, continental breakfasts, cream cheese, might include, offered with, some continental, some continental breakfasts
