Photo: Intodustin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Tamilnadu · Breakfast

Bread Upma (பிரட் உப்மா)

Traditional 26. Bread Upma recipe

🧺 Ingredients

• 6 slices bread (white sandwich bread, preferably 1–2 days old — stale works better)
• 2 tbsp oil (sunflower or sesame)
• ½ tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp urad dal
• 10 curry leaves, fresh
• 2 green chilies, slit lengthwise
• 1 medium onion, finely diced (¾ cup)
• 1 medium ripe tomato, finely chopped (½ cup)
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• Salt — ½ tsp (or to taste)
• 2 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped
• 1 tbsp grated coconut (optional, for topping)
• ½ tsp lemon juice
• Do not over-toss after adding bread — 2 minutes maximum or it disintegrates into crumbs

👩‍🍳 How to make Bread Upma

1. Tear bread slices into rough 2 cm (¾ inch) chunks — do not use a knife, tearing gives irregular texture that catches the masala better.
2. If bread is very fresh and soft, spread pieces on a plate for 15 minutes to dry out slightly; very soft bread will turn mushy when tossed.
3. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large kadai or wide pan over high heat.
4. When oil shimmers (about 45 seconds), add ½ tsp mustard seeds.
5. Wait 15–20 seconds until mustard seeds crackle and pop.
6. Add 1 tsp urad dal — fry 20 seconds until light golden.
7. Add 10 curry leaves — stand back as they sputter in the oil.
8. Add green chilies — toss for 10 seconds.
9. Add diced onion.
10. Toss well with the tempering.
11. Fry on medium-high heat for 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until onions become translucent and edges begin to turn golden-brown.
12. Add chopped tomatoes.
13. Add ¼ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp red chili powder, and ½ tsp salt.
14. Stir well.
15. Cook on medium heat for 2 minutes until tomatoes break down and the masala comes together in a thick, glossy paste — the oil should just begin to separate at the edges.
16. Add the torn bread pieces all at once.
17. Using a wide spatula, fold and toss the bread through the masala — do not mash.
18. Coat every piece with the red-gold masala.
19. Turn heat to low-medium.
20. Continue folding and tossing for 2 minutes.
21. Some pieces will break further, some will hold shape — this mixed texture is correct and desirable.

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