What are wholegrain soldiers?

I was reading a parenting pamphlet and it says a good breakfast is 'a boiled egg and wholegrain soldiers'.

Thanks!

One piece of sliced whole wheat toast (or two)  cut into thinner (height wise) pieces... about 2 cm by 6 to 8 cm I'd say... normally dunked into soft and meduim boiled egg but for children it would be hard boiled due to samonella risk..

Google images for a piccie!

 :DFascinating!  Maybe wikipedia has a description as to where this idea originated.  I'm still not getting why it's a 'soldier'.

Maybe because they're long strips of toast all sort of in a row ... like soldiers? They've always been called that in my family and I've never even questioned the reason! 

Yes, that's must be it, chary.  I checked wikipedia and nothing on 'wholegrain soldiers'.  LOL.

Just when I think I've pretty much got the British English terms down, or at least I can figure it out.  But it is fun to keep learning new words.

Soldiers don't need to be toast...they never were in my house.  Oh, and is there really a big salmonella risk in soft boiled eggs?  If the eggs are fresh and cooked properly there needn't be a problem.  I know my brother and I were given soft boiled eggs and soldiers at a young age with no problems.

Vicky

I know my brother and I were given soft boiled eggs and soldiers at a young age with no problems.

I ate them, too. I think when VNP mentioned salmonella I assumed it was a newly-discovered risk for children. Well, I say "newly," but it's been a loooooong time since I was a child eating soft boiled eggs! 

(Yes, I have heard that some people use untoasted bread for soldiers, but don't toasted soldiers hold up better for dipping?)

The current medical advice is for pregnant women and infants under 12 months not to eat soft yolks.

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/nutrition/foodsafety/eggsexpert/
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/startingsolids/introducing/

Oh, okay...it's all changed since my day!

As for soldiers...yes, toast does hold up better for dipping, but the way the egg melts into the butter when it the bread is untoasted is lovely...and a bit gooey!  Bits of bread do sometimes break off and fall in the egg, so have a spoon to hand!

Vicky

I just mentioned the samonella because there is always a risk of it when eating undercooked eggs and food poisoning can lead to higher rates of death in children, infants, the elderly and the immno-compromised. 

Not that it stops me most times in my life!

I love home made mayo too...

My DH sometimes prefers his not toasted...

Not that it stops me most times in my life!

I can't help but think ... what would a Caesar salad be without raw eggs?!?! 

I can't help but think ... what would a Caesar salad be without raw eggs?!?! 

Or hollandaise!?

Honestly, I'm impressed that as children you were all willing to eat soft boiled eggs.  I wouldn't go anywhere near runny eggs when I was little!

Yeah, my 4 year old (and 2.5 year old) love runny eggs.  I say 'yuck' (mentallly, never aloud!)

Scrambled here, please.  And the thought of dipping just is awful for me! 

But I agree with the pamphlet, that is a good breakfast.  'Don't give them a bowl of sugary cereal...'

I wouldn't go anywhere near runny eggs when I was little!

I loved runny eggs when I was little! But now? Wouldn't touch one with a 10-foot pole! 

Our youngest asked for soldiers one morning-but I had already cut it into squares.  So I cut the squares in half and presto-little squat soldiers (as she calls them).
Now when she wants toast in the morning she gets upset if they aren't little squat soldiers.