Bread Poha / Upma
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Bread Poha reminds me so much of Bread Stuffing made during Thanks Giving to serve as one of the main side dishes. The only difference is that it is curried instead of poultry seasonings.
Another similarity if I have to choose is, it resembles the Italian Salad that is made with left over stale bread, known as Panzanella. Again, the only difference is that it is seasoned with Indian spices and not Italian.
Bread Poha is a hearty and filling brunch or breakfast dish, very popular in Indian households. I would suggest that it can be easily packed for lunch and can be a quick week night dinner, piled up with some more veges and some protein. Can you beat its versatility?
Do read the foot notes at the bottom to get it right. The bread that you use matters. I have landed up with bread mess many times, when I used fresh bread. So, yes…stale bread is the answer to a sturdy texture of the dish.
This is how I made it!
Bread Poha
Kitchen Equipments Required
Chopping board, knife, a thick bottom pan with lid, stirring spoon.
Ingredients
Bread Cubes – 2&1/2 cups, cut into 1×1 inch
Garlic – 1/2 tbsp, chopped fine, optional
Ginger – 1 tsp, chopped fine
Green Chili – 1 small, chopped fine
Onions – 1 cup, thinly sliced
Peas – 1/2 cup
Coriander leaves – 1 tbsp, chopped fine
Oil & Spices
Oil – 2 tsp
Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
Urad Dal – 1 tsp, optional
Curry leaves – 7 to 8
Peanuts – 1 tbsp
Turmeric – 1/2 tsp
Red Chili powder – 1/4 to 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Water – 1/4 cup
Garnish – Corinader leaves, some pomogrenate pearls (anaar) and Lemon juice to add later on.
Method
- Heat oil in the pan. Lower it and add mustard seeds and urad dal.
- Once the seeds crackle, add curry leaves and peanuts. Sauté for a 30-45 seconds till peanuts turn slightly red.
- Now add the ginger, garlic, green chili and onions to the pan. Increase the flame to medium. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes till onions become slightly red.
- Add peas, turmeric, salt and red chili powder to the pan. Give a good stir. Add 1/4 cup water. Cover with lid and let it cook on slow flame till water is evaporated.
- Remove the lid. Add cubed bread and coriander leaves. Stir and toss well. Cover with lid. Cook on slow flame for 2 minutes.
- A lip smacking Bread Poha is ready. Squeeze some lemon juice, sprinkle some pomogrenate seeds and Corinader leaves. It is ready to be devoured.
- It has layers of texture and is so hearty and filling. You are going to love it.
Notes
- Always use stale bread for this recipe. Fresh bread will end up in a mess.
- You may use the top and bottom slices of stale bread, ciabatta, Italian baguette or buy a whole (not sliced) bread and cut as desired.
- This is an easily adaptable recipe. You may choose to add or minus the ingredients as available.
- This makes a good lunch box dish for kids and a filling brunch or a weeknight dinner or even an after school snack.
Enjoy making this poha for your family and friends this weekend.
Sonal
I am so thankful Suzanne shared this recipe on her blog. I am going to make it for meatless Monday! I think my family will love it!
Keep me posted Michelle if you do :).
If you can’t find the curry leaves, it’s fine to go without it!
Thank you!
Looks tempting !! Yumm….
Thank you
I really like the new look of your blog. Lovely photos!!!
Thank you ❤️
awesome ️Sonal , I loved it! Quick and easy
Wonderful flavours and another great use for leftover bread 🙂 perfect xx
It sure is 🙂
Well, you certainly have a wonderful knack for putting together a gorgeous plate Sonal. Your plates are very lovely! And this sounds incredible. What wonderful flavors!
Thanks Seana.
I appreciate your compliment. I picked these from Kroger, the local grocery store chain.
It was really hearty
I love this Sonal. it’s rustic and love the spicing and all the different ingredients like peanuts. It really does sound amazing. This I have never heard of before thanks for a great recipe.
Suzanne ❤️ 🙂
If you would like to try this, let me know. I will send you a ready pack of ingredients with instructions. You may just have to buy some bread, onions and peas and rest all will be in the box :).
Oh I would love that and yes I want to make this! Thank you so much.
Ok then.
Let me put some ready to make boxes together for you, including this and Indian dahl and Basmati Pilaf! And chai mix.
Will keep you posted when I am ready to post it! ❤️
Omg thank you!
Pleasure is so mine ❤️❤️