5 QUESTIONS: MICHELLE TCHEA

{Cookbook author, from Mebourne, Australia, currently in Switzerland} 

Michelle's book: Building a Perfect Meal

Facebook: book page or personal page.

THE QUESTIONS

1. What is your favorite thing to make for breakfast?

Something simple: Vegemite on toast with lashings of butter

Weekend breakfast: Waffles but I’m now a big fan of Tresse (A Swiss brioche) with bacon, scrambled eggs and smoked salmon

Everyday breakfast sides: Home-made Bircher muesli with lots of fresh fruit

When friends are over: Ham and Cheese Mochi French Toast found in my new book Building a Perfect Meal. The French lifestyle that I have currently adopted encourages me to fry an egg and pop it on-top. Croque Madam ala Michelle!

all photos ©Michelle Tchea.

2. What is your favorite thing to order when you go out to breakfast?

Thick slices of artisan toast – butter on the side; poached eggs, baked beans, bacon and sautéed spinach. Strong latte always included!

3. Do you have a favorite local spot?

It depends where I am. I travel a lot as a travel / food professional, so I have my favourites at a few cities. There is one breakfast place that I love. On the Chuckanut Drive from Seattle down to Portland, sits a little café open to the 10 locals that live in the town. Great company, excellent coffee, fresh bread and a really decent breakfast. Otherwise in Melbourne, I would have to say Demitri’s Feast in Richmond. 

4. What is your favorite morning ritual?

Open all my windows to let in fresh air, head straight to the kitchen and battle the daily question of ‘What should I make for dinner’.

Go to the local farmers market for fresh produce and a chat with locals in my horrible and non-existent French

Delve head first into a café for a light breakfast – buttery croissant with a double café crème. Head home for a real breakfast of poached eggs on thick cut toast.

5. Favorite breakfast drinks?

A strong black coffee is fantastic and mandatory. At the moment, I’m in love with Café con leche in Spain. Although I love sitting down to enjoy my coffee – there’s something very enjoyable about standing at the bar and eating a tortilla to chase my coffee. Otherwise, I love oat based smoothies – YUM!

A breakfast cocktail is always fun too!

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Michelle's recipe for Ham and Cheese Mochi French Toast

Serves 2

Eggs 2, large

Sugar 1 tsp

Milk 1 Tbsp

Ground nutmeg (optional)

to taste

Ground cinnamon (optional)

to taste

Mustard 2 Tbsp

Sourdough bread 4 thick slices

Leg ham 2 slices

Mozzarella cheese 2 slices

Mochi (Japanese rice cake)

8 slices

Butter 1–2 Tbsp

• Prepare egg mixture by beating eggs, sugar and milk in a bowl. Add a sprinkle each of nutmeg and cinnamon, if desired. Set aside.

• Spread mustard on a slice of bread and layer with ham and cheese. Top with a few mochi slices and another slice of bread. Repeat with the remaining bread and filling.

• Dip sandwich into the egg mixture and let it sit for about 5 minutes.

• Melt butter in a pan over medium heat and lightly toast the sandwich on both sides.