I’m very bad. I get midnight cravings for bread upma – a spiced, stir fried bread dish. Its very easy to make and there is always bread lying around that needs to be used up. So I can tip toe into the kitchen at midnight and quickly whip up this snack without waking up the husband (because I dont want to share my bread upma!).
Use white or brown bread. And if its slightly stale, thats fine too. This recipe is a great way to use up left over bread. If you find the upma is too dry (older breads will be drier), just sprinkle some water and toss to soften it.
Bread Upma Recipe
serves about 4 as a snack
Ingredients
10 slices of bread, white or brown
4 tablespoons oil
1/4 teaspoon black mustard seeds
1/2 cup minced onion (1 small onion)
1/2 teaspoon minced ginger, optional
1 green chili, minced
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon, or according to taste red chili powder
1 tomato deseeded and chopped
1 teaspoon lime juice
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro for garnish
Method
1. Cut off the crust of the bread. Discard the crust or save for making bread crumbs. This is optional, you can leave the crust on if you like. Cut the bread into cubes.
2. Heat oil in a large wok. Add the mustard seeds. When they pop, add the onion, ginger and green chili. Saute on medium heat till the onion is translucent.
3. Then add the turmeric and red chili powders. Stir for a few seconds.
4. Add in the bread cubes, tomato, lime juice and salt.
5. Stir gently till everything is evenly combined and the bread has absorbed all the spices and turned yellow. About 4 minutes,
6. Garnish with chopped cilantro.
Oh I have so many memories of bread upma! My best friend’s mom used to make it for us (me) every time I went to their house
She used to put potato also I think. MMmm I should make some!
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I love bread upma too. This was one of my ‘most wanted’ items in my school lunch box and also one of the easiest things I learned to make while in school.
My variation is, I do not add ginger or tomato, but sometimes add a couple of tbsps of peanut powder ( rough).
I will try your variation next.
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That is such a great recipe! I really love the idea.
Cheers,
Rosa
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Its absolutely mouthwatering…. i love this.dish and now i am craving for it.
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wow..looks yum
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This sounds so good – something I could definitely munch on at midnight!
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[ Smiles ] This bread upma recipe looks okay to try; thank you for posting it!
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Hi,
I am dedicated reader of you blog, and love love love everything you do!
I need some help, my 1 year old boy is in day care, and the day care people insist him on eating table food (stuff he can pick himself and eat). They are reluctant to feed him kichidi, we are vegetarians, and he has 3 teeth! Al tough he can eat soft small chunks of soft stuff.
Would you have any nutritious suggestions?
Thanks!!
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Love bread upma…had almost forgotten about it! Seeing your post refreshed my memories!
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Sala, after reading the ingredients, I had the thought that small pieces of cauliflower would go well in this dish. I like the combination of ingredients.
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I feel a little embarrassed saying that I’ve never heard of bread upma… I don’t eat a whole lot of bread but you make this dish sound so delicious! Can I use rye bread in the recipe?
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Sala @ Veggie Belly Reply:
March 5th, 2013 at 1:31 am
Yes, although the mild taste of sandwich bread works better for bread upma.
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Nice twist to left over bread slices….Easy breakfast recipe..
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Love your awesome recipes and will definitely have to try this one out! I have never had bread upma before but absolutely love the traditional upma. Thanks for the recipe and great writing and pictures.
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This dish looks so good. Do you eat it with something else?
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It’s midnight here, and I want to sneak upstairs and make me some bread upma right now! Drooooool!
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This brings back memories of my late dad who was a master at whipping up bread upma! But Sala, the crusts are the best part! NEVER leave them out!
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Thank you so much for this great recipe, Sala – I made it as part of my Live Below The Line challenge (on behalf of UNICEF).
I adapted it a bit to use what I had in the kitchen because I was on a strict budget of £1 per person, per day for all food and drink!
It looked nothing like yours but was nevertheless, utterly gorgeous! The recipe can be found here (I’ve linked to this page too):
http://www.yumsome.com/bread-upma/
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A VERY interesting dish. Thank you for sharing Sala!
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The above recipe sound different and interesting, will try it soon. Thanks
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Reading the recipe, i did not believe it would be so tasty that it cant be shared! But the one who tastes it will complete the whole stuff.Try it friends. You will get to learn that Sala’s recipe is simple, easy and the best. Thankyou Sala. Waiting to try and taste more wonderful recipes from you.
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Hi Sala,
Do they come out crispy?
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I made this recipe for the breakfast and it was yummy………. Thanks for sharing.
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