South Indian bread upma recipe with step-by-step photos: A quick, easy, tasty South Indian breakfast that can be prepared within 20 minutes.
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Bread Upma
Bread upma is a popular variation of the South Indian upma made with bread, spices, herbs, and peanuts. It is also called masala bread upma and bread poha in some places.
If you have some leftover bread, you can give this recipe a try. Bread upma is a nice way to use up leftover bread. But I like it so much I always end up buying a fresh one.
This makes for a perfect breakfast or snack option. You can even pack this in your kid’s lunch box. They will love this.
About this recipe
There are various ways of preparing this savory dish. The recipe I am sharing is the most simple way of making bread upma using a few commonly available ingredients. It takes just 20 minutes to come together and is completely vegan. The taste of this upma is derived mainly from the tempering spices, onion, and tomatoes.
Butter and mixed vegetables are also used to enhance the taste and add extra nutrition. Vegetables like carrots, capsicum, green peas, beans, sweet corn, and potatoes go well with this. To extend the flavor even more some pav bhaji masala could be added. Sometimes I also add a little ketchup to the masala. You can also get creative and add your own twist of spices and ingredients.
Serve bread upma hot as it is or with steaming hot masala chai or coffee and enjoy!
For more breakfast recipes:
Favorite Tools
Nonstick Fry Pan (Dishwasher Safe)
Masala Bread Upma Ingredients
Here are a few important notes about the ingredients you will need to make this bread upma recipe:
Bread: this recipe works with both fresh and a few days old bread. Any kind of soft bread will do. White bread or pav (dinner roll) gives excellent results. Brown bread, whole wheat bread, and multigrain bread also work fine;
I have taken four pavs and cut them into small bite-size pieces. You can take around 6-8 bread slices depending on the size. If you like a slight bite to the bread, you can always toast it before adding;
Oil: any unflavored cooking oil will do. I have used sunflower oil. You could also use butter for a richer taste;
For tempering – here I am using black mustard seeds, asafoetida (also called hing), green chilli, and curry leaves;
Black mustard seeds and fresh curry leaves give that unique flavor to the dish;
Asafoetida is commonly used in Indian cuisine. It adds flavor and also helps digestion. Skip, if you can’t find it;
I have added one green chilli. You could deseed the green chilli or add more if you like to increase the heat;
In addition, chana dal (split Bengal gram) and urad dal could be added for a nice crunch;
Onion and ginger: the combination of onion and ginger uplift the taste of bread upma;
Ground spices: turmeric powder and red chilli powder are used both for flavor and color. I am using Kashmiri chilli powder, which brings flavor and color but is non-spicy;
Tomatoes: adds texture and a lovely tang;
Salt: regular table salt;
Coriander or cilantro: preferably fresh;
Peanuts: roasted peanuts. Cashew nuts could be used as well;
Step by Step Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan. Once the oil heats up, add all the seasoning ingredients: mustard seeds, hing, and green chilli. Let the mustard seeds splutter. Add in curry leaves, finely chopped onion, and minced ginger.
- Saute until the onions become translucent.
- Then add in turmeric and red chilli powder. Saute to mix.
- Add in finely chopped tomatoes followed by salt. Saute the tomatoes until they turn soft and mushy.
- Add around 1/4 cup of water, not too much, and mix. Cook for a few seconds.
- Add in bread pieces in the tomato mixture and just toss them up quickly. Make sure all the bread pieces are nicely coated with the masala.
- Finally, add coriander leaves and roasted peanuts.
- Mix and serve bread upma hot. Add a dash of lemon juice if desired.
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South Indian Bread Upma
INGREDIENTS ( 1 CUP = 240 ML )
- 2 tbsp oil sunflower oil or any unflavored cooking oil
- ½ tsp black mustard seeds
- 1 sprig of curry leaves
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 1 green chilli slit
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- ⅙ tsp asafoetida/hing
- 2 medium tomatoes finely chopped
- ¼ tsp table salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder non-spicy
- ¼ cup water
- 4 pav (dinner roll) or 6-8 bread slices cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves finely chopped
- 2-3 tbsp roasted peanuts
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat oil in a pan. Once the oil heats up, add all the seasoning ingredients: mustard seeds, hing, and green chilli. Let the mustard seeds splutter. Add in curry leaves, finely chopped onion, and minced ginger.
- Saute until the onions become translucent.
- Then add in turmeric and red chilli powder. Saute to mix.
- Add in finely chopped tomatoes followed by salt. Saute the tomatoes until they turn soft and mushy.
- Add around 1/4 cup of water, not too much, and mix. Cook for a few seconds.
- Add in bread pieces in the tomato mixture and just toss them up quickly. Make sure all the bread pieces are nicely coated with the masala.
- Finally, add coriander leaves and peanuts.
- Mix and serve bread upma hot. Add a dash of lemon juice if desired.
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