BREAD UPITTU (using whole wheat bread)

Ah! Bread upittu !!! Yum!! Even now my mouth waters at just hearing the name of this dish. This dish was my Dad’s special at home. Whenever there was some leftover bread, he used to prepare this for next day’s breakfast. Sometimes we had it for dinner too. I used to love this quick snack as a child and even now I relish it. It gives a good feeling and a twist to the taste buds!

To be honest, I hate upma. Upma/ upittu (these are the constantly used words) is popularly made with rava or semolina. And this version is the one I don’t prefer to have. Maybe because I’m bored of rava upma or maybe I never had a liking for it! Ha ha..

Anyways, let me introduce what upma/ uppittu actually is. It is cooked as a thick porridge from dry roasted semolina. Various seasonings and vegetables are often added during the preparation, depending on individual preferences. Upma is usually made with Semolina (called Rava or Suji in India). ‘Upittu’ is what kannadigas call for ‘upma’ in Karnataka. There are different versions of Upittu made from semiyan (vermicelli), sabbakki (sago),oats, avalakki (beaten rice), bread; with spicy versions, some recipes for the sweet tooth and tangy recipes as well.

This recipe is made using bread as the main ingredient. It is easy and quick to prepare, all you need is a handful of ingredients… I prepared this recipe using whole wheat bread which makes the dish nutritious. 1 loaf of bread is enough to serve 2 to 3 people. Trust me! This is so yummy!! Do let me know how it came out for you as well..

BREAD UPITTU RECIPE:

Ingredients: (serves 2-3)

· Whole wheat bread – 1 loaf

· Oil – 1 tbsp

· Onions – 1 medium

· Tomatoes – 2 medium

· 1 Carrot (grated) – optional

· Mustard seeds - ½ tsp

· Urad dal (split)- ½ tsp

· Groundnuts – 1tsp

· Green chilli – 2 to 3 (chopped or slit into 2)

· Turmeric powder -1 pinch

· Coriander leaves -1 to 2 tbsp

· Lemon – ½

· Salt – as per taste

Method of preparation:

Step 1:

Take tawa which you use it to prepare chapattis/ dosas/ parathas; place it on the stove. Dry roast each slice of bread on the tawa- until it has turned golden brown in color on both the sides. Cut each roasted bread slices into small cubes and keep it aside.

Step 2:

Take a deep bottom pan/ or any frying pan for the tossing to be easy. Add oil, once it is slightly heated, simmer the flame and add mustard seeds, urad dal, groundnuts. Let the seeds splutter and the groundnuts should turn slighty brown. Add green chillies. Add onions. Add turmeric powder.

Step 3:

The onions should turn translucent. Add chopped tomatoes and grated carrot; fry them till they are completely cooked.

Step 4:

Now add in the bread cubes and mix well. Add salt. Add coriander leaves, mix again. Squeeze in some lemon juice and mix well.

Your Bread Uppittu is ready to serve!

Note: This recipe is a healthy and nutritious version without any extra calories included.

Tips:

1. You can use any type of bread – milk bread, sweet bread, multi grain bread, ragi bread as per your preferences.

2. Serve this immediately when it is hot. It tastes better when the bread is still slightly crunchy and hot.

3. While roasting bread on tawa, you can smear some ghee. It adds a great flavor to the recipe.

4. You can have this as a brunch or as an evening snack with tea!

ENJOY!!!!