Bread Upma - Indian Breakfast Recipe

Name: Bread Upma- Indian Masala Bread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 4 cups bread pieces; 2 Tablespoon oil; 2 Tablespoon water; 1 teaspoon cumin seeds; 6 to 7 curry leaves; ⅛ teaspoon asafoetida powder; 1 teaspoon finely chopped ginger; 2 finely chopped green chilies; 1 medium finely chopped onion; 1 cup finely chopped tomatoes; 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder; 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder; 1/4 cup roasted peanuts; 2 teaspoon lemon juice; salt to taste; 2 Tablespoon finely chopped cilantro

Published: Apr 5, 2019 · Modified: Jun 26, 2022 by Prajakta Sukhatme · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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Bread Upma is easy and quick Indian breakfast recipe. It also is a good snack. It’s a delicious way to use up leftover bread. This recipe is Vegan and vegetarian.

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Easy Upma Recipe

An easy 20 minute Vegan recipe that will satisfy a quick craving for something tasty. It’s brimming with varied flavors that are sure to entice your palate. You will also thoroughly enjoy the unique texture of this upma.

You can enhance the nutrition value of the humble bread by adding different toppings per your liking. I’ve added veggies and peanuts which will make this upma very wholesome and nutritional power-packed. You can add different nuts and seeds and extra veggies like carrots and bell peppers if you like.

Indian Panzanella

While we were vacationing in Italy, I devoured on the dish called Panzanella several times. Panzanella typically is made by soaking stale bread pieces in olive oil, tomatoes, onions and basil. You can dress it up further with veggies and different toppings.

It is intriguing to see common food preparations across different cultures and regions. We can thus call Masala Bread Upma as Indian cousin of Tuscan Panzanella !! Our Globe Trotting Foodie Family is HAPPY !!!

What Type of Bread should I use to make Masala Bread Upma ?

You can use any type bread to make this super delicious upma. White bread, brown bread, multi-grain, sourdough, dinner rolls, gluten free anything and everything goes well. No discrimination against the edges of the bread either. You can use very top and bottom bread slices that no one eats as well. We turn all leftover bread into golden nuggets. Genius right?

How to Make Bread Upma – Indian Breakfast Recipe?

To make bread upma, you cut the bread into bite size pieces. Then they cooked along with a tadka ( tampered oil ) cumin seeds and onion, tomatoes, curry leaves. You top it off with roasted peanuts and fresh cilantro. A cup of ginger chai pairs well with this upma and so does lively conversations!!

Sometimes, simplest of the things bring you biggest of the joys . Bread upma is one such thing. you know that feeling of satisfaction when you make something soulful and it tastes really good? I always enjoy that feeling when I make this delicious Bread Upma.

Ingredients

Bread : You can use any bread you have easily available. White bread, whole wheat bread or brown bread are all good choices. Typically sliced loaves are used but baguettes are ok to use too.

Vegetables : We use chopped onion and tomatoes. Red or yellow sweet onion works best. Chopped green chilis and minced ginger adds wonderful spice to the upma. For authentic Indian taste, use fresh curry leaves. For garnish, use chopped fresh cilantro leaves and lemon juice. You can also add other vegetables like potatoes, cauliflower or green beans.

Spices and seasoning: Cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder tempered in warm oil adds great depth of flavor to the bread. If you have easily available, do use hing - asafoetida powder.

Stove Top Instructions

1. Cut up bread into small bite size pieces.

2. Heat the oil in a sauté pan and add cumin seeds. When the seeds change the color, add the curry leaves, asafoetida, ginger, green chilies and onion and peanuts. Sauté on a medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes.

3. Add the tomatoes, turmeric powder, chili powder, salt, and water. Mix well and cook on a medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes while stirring frequently.

4. Add the bread, mix well so the spice mixture coats the bread pieces. Cook on a medium heat for 2 minute, while stirring frequently. Turn the heat off. Add the cilantro and lemon juice and mix well. Serve hot.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve bread upma warm with a cup of chai ( Indian Spiced Tea ) or Vegan Golden Milk. You can drizzle some mint chutney or flaxseed garlic chutney for extra spicy. You can also scatter some freshly grated coconut and pomegranate seeds on top for special presentation.

For an elaborate brunch, pair it with other Indian breakfast items like Pohe, Thalipeeth ( Savory Multigrain flat bread) or Misal ( Spicy Lentil Curry)

How to Make Bread Upma or Indian Masala Bread using Instant Pot ?

Traditionally bread upma is made on the stovetop. That’s how I always used to make it. However, since I am hooked on one pot cooking in InstantPot, I tried this recipe using InstantPot. You can use Sauté mode to make the entire recipe. Or you can quickly pressure cook it for a minute. Either way, it works very well. So you can choose which method best suits you.

InstantPot Directions:

Turn on the InstantPot on Sauté mode. Once it feels warm, add oil and cumin seeds. Once they change color, add the curry leaves, asafoetida, ginger, green chilies and onion and peanuts. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, turmeric powder, chili powder, salt, and ¼ cup water. Mix well. Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes while stirring frequently.

Add the bread, mix well so the mixture coats well. Cover with the glass lid and cook for 2 minutes.

Cancel Sauté. Add the cilantro and lemon juice and mix well. Serve hot.

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