Bread Poha

by Kiran on May 7, 2013 · 100 comments

in bread, Breakfast/Brunch, Indian

Hello!

I have quite an interesting recipe for you today. And it involves slices of bread. Allow me to warn you that it has nothing to do with sandwiches, french toast, bread pudding, crumbs etc.

Nada.

It’s a savory recipe that I’m obsessed with ever since my sister-in-law taught me how to cook it while visiting India a few months ago.

Bread Poha | KiranTarun.com

The whole trip was filled with delicious home-cooked meals, street foods and everything in between. Most importantly, I did very less cooking, so it was definitely a bonus to be enjoying someone else’s cooking for a change.

I’m still learning a ton from my new family (the in-laws). Their way of life, culture and everything about them is so uniquely different.

Especially the menu. Who knew there’s a lot more ways to enjoy slices of bread?

Bread Poha | KiranTarun.com

A very important note to make: this recipe uses fresh and juicy tomatoes. There’s no short-cut here. Please do not even attempt to use canned tomatoes. It’ll never do any justice to this recipe.

Assemble all of the usual suspects ingredients and you are ready to enjoy this recipe in no time. A perfect Mothers’ Day brunch menu with the family 🙂

Bread Poha | KiranTarun.com

Print This Recipe Print This Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 12 bread slices, cubed
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 green chilies, chopped
  • 1 sprig of curry leaves
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 4 plum tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 medium cooked potatoes, chopped
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Directions:

  1. Heat a large skillet on medium.  Once heated, add oil. Wait for the oil to heat, add mustard seeds.
  2. Once mustard seeds sputters, add diced onions. Cook for 2 minutes or until onions are translucent and fragrant.
  3. Add curry leaves, green chilies, turmeric powder and plum tomatoes. Cook for 10 minutes or until tomatoes are mushed and forms some gravy.
  4. Throw in chopped cooked potatoes and some water. Gently simmer for 5 minutes until tomato sauce thickens.
  5. Sprinkle salt and black pepper. Stir.
  6. Add cubed bread and stir everything to combine. Reduce heat to low, cover and gently simmer for 5 more minutes or until cubed bread soaks in all of the moisture and ingredients.
  7. Serve hot with a cuppa homemade chai. Enjoy!

 

Bread Poha | KiranTarun.com

Happy Mothers’ Day to my sister-in-law who is a proud mama of two angels. I love you and thank you for teaching me all about being patient in the kitchen. I still have a lot more to learn and I know I can count on you and everyone in the family for guidance 🙂

Let’s get interesting with the question: Do you have any heirloom recipes from your in laws? What was the first meal you cooked after marriage?

One of many Indian tradition for newly wedded brides is to cook something sweet for the very first time after marriage. The husband loves rice pudding, so that’s what I made!

 

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Comments on this entry are closed.

1 Ina gawne May 7, 2013 at 9:52 AM

This sounds scrumptious, and I love the potatoes in this dish too. Plus what is not to love about rice pudding…yummm!
Ina gawne recently posted..HOMEMADE BEANS IN A TOMATO SAUCE

2 Kiran May 11, 2013 at 1:00 AM

Ina — thank you my friend, the potatoes is comforting 🙂

3 Rosa May 7, 2013 at 10:25 AM

That is such a great/original recipe! Perfect for using leftover bread. Yummy!

Cheers,

Rosa

4 Kiran May 11, 2013 at 1:02 AM

Rosa — totally!

5 Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ May 7, 2013 at 10:40 AM

Lovely! We have something similar in Italy called “Pappa al Pomodoro”. Simply bread and tomato sauce. This recipe reminds me a lot of it. I guess it has a similar genuine and rustic twist typical of simple and tasty homemade food.
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ recently posted..Aubergine Mini Pizza Crust topped with Ajvar relish and Mozzarella

6 Kiran May 11, 2013 at 1:23 AM

Daniela — Love it when there’s a variety of similarly delicious and comforting recipe 🙂

7 Sia | Monsoon Spice May 7, 2013 at 10:46 AM

Bread upma is what we call and it was one of the most loved tiffin/snacks made by Amma when we were kids. I liked little roasted pieces of breads that stuck to the pan 🙂

Cooking for in-lawa, I actually didn’t cook anything as we were busy stuffing my face with all the yummy goodness she cooked for me 😉 I was with them for just 2 and half weeks before I left India with DH.
Sia | Monsoon Spice recently posted..Spring on Our Doorstep

8 Kiran May 11, 2013 at 1:29 AM

Sia — aah, the precious memories of childhood 🙂

9 Laura @ Family Spice May 7, 2013 at 11:09 AM

I made several Persian stews before I married my husband. But I wanted to perfect his favorite, basmati rice with green beans and tomatoes. You have to be careful because you can easily have a pot of mush! The hubby still prefers his mother’s version (she uses more oil than I do), but I hear no complaints from him when I make my healthier version. Beautiful pictures. And that is one seriously cute tea pot!
Laura @ Family Spice recently posted..Strawberry, Kale and Pomegranate Cooler Thingie

10 Kiran May 11, 2013 at 1:35 AM

Laura — thanks for sharing your memories. Just so you know, I bought the teapot from Pier 1 Imports 🙂

11 Kari@Loaves n Dishes May 7, 2013 at 11:21 AM

Bread & potatoes…so comforting and yummy!
Kari@Loaves n Dishes recently posted..BAKED POTATO CROQUETTES with SWISS CHARD, CRISPY PROSCIUTTO, & Romesco Sauce

12 Kiran May 11, 2013 at 1:36 AM

Kari — ditto!!

13 Gourmantine May 7, 2013 at 11:54 AM

Your photos are so so beautiful!
I have a couple of recipes from my in laws, mainly very Provencal dishes, but seriously couldn’t remember what cooked after wedding, probably a salad of some sort 🙂
Gourmantine recently posted..Mum’s Poppy Seed Cake

14 Kiran May 11, 2013 at 1:41 AM

Gourmantine — blog about it 🙂

15 Kankana May 7, 2013 at 11:56 AM

I loved to make bread poha (which we call bread kachurma) from my husband. It one of our fav saunday breakfast 🙂

16 Kiran May 11, 2013 at 1:42 AM

Kankana — i need to make it again. Perhaps this weekend 🙂

17 Laura (Tutti Dolci) May 7, 2013 at 12:26 PM

Any recipe with bread and tomatoes sounds like heaven to me!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..chocolate-strawberry cupcakes

18 dassana May 7, 2013 at 12:38 PM

one of our favorite bread snack. i also make these for breakfast. i agree on adding fresh tomatoes.
dassana recently posted..idli chaat

19 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 1:55 AM

Dassana — totally 🙂

20 Kiran May 11, 2013 at 1:45 AM

Laura — 🙂

21 Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl May 7, 2013 at 2:59 PM

This is a totally new idea to me, but it looks and sounds so delicious! Thank you for sharing :).
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl recently posted..Homemade Kale Chips

22 Kiran May 11, 2013 at 1:46 AM

Hannah — you are welcome. It’s a simple and comforting recipe 🙂

23 Katerina May 7, 2013 at 3:03 PM

This is definitely something I would love to have on my table Kiran! Mothers are irreplaceable!
Katerina recently posted..Spinach and Goat Cheese Muffins

24 Kiran May 11, 2013 at 1:47 AM

Katerina — 🙂

25 Choc Chip Uru May 7, 2013 at 3:40 PM

What a wonderful recipe my friend, as soon as I saw it, I thought bread curry 🙂
Love it!

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..May the Fourth Be With You

26 Kiran May 11, 2013 at 1:51 AM

CCU — lol, thanks my dear 🙂

27 Monica May 7, 2013 at 3:45 PM

It’s so interesting to learn about a new dish like this! I love the use of spices. I’ve been hearing so much about the nutritional benefits of tumeric and would love to incorporate it into my food. That aside, this just looks delicious, and a great way to incorporate bread!
Monica recently posted..Simple strawberry shortcakes

28 Kiran May 11, 2013 at 1:53 AM

Monica — many has a preconceived notion that spices are “hot and spicy”. The proper way of use is in moderation. It definitely has a lot of healthy and nutritional benefits, so adding a few dash or sprinkle will not hurt. At all 🙂

29 Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies May 7, 2013 at 7:05 PM

This sounds like total comfort food to me! I used to cook stir fries all the time for my husband because that was about all I knew how to cook. I hardly make them anymore because we had them so much back then and I’m still tired of them!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies recently posted..50 Vegetarian Pizza Recipes

30 Kiran May 11, 2013 at 1:54 AM

Kiersten — love stir-fry and memories surrounding food in our lives. Thanks for sharing, friend 🙂

31 laurasmess May 7, 2013 at 7:25 PM

Such an interesting recipe Kiran!! Love the idea of being able to whip up a quick, fragrant and delicious spiced dish with bread! As per usual, your photos are amazing. Thanks for sharing this xx
laurasmess recently posted..Orange and Almond Cake with Lavender and Rose Syrup

32 Kiran May 11, 2013 at 1:59 AM

Lauramess — you are welcome and thank you for commenting. This recipe is definitely great if you have leftover bread to consume 🙂

33 Honey What's Cooking May 7, 2013 at 10:00 PM

OMG.. my husband would be in heaven if I made this. I’m so making this, this weekend. Is 12 slices of bread too much? How many servings does this make? Just wanna get an idea of how much to make. The first dish I ever made for my in-laws was bhindi. And I had no idea about making something sweet for the hubby, but whatever man, he eats my cakes often enough. Haha! Bookmarked! Let me know please. 🙂
Honey What’s Cooking recently posted..Jalapeno Popper Cream Cheese Sandwich

34 Kiran May 11, 2013 at 2:02 AM

Honey — this recipe makes 4 moderate portions. Perhaps you can try making it with 8 slices of bread? You can always add more if need be. Bon Apetit! Let me know how it tastes!

ps: the Husband loves bhindi, way too much 😀

35 Coffee and Crumpets May 7, 2013 at 10:06 PM

It’s got my favorites: bread, mustard seeds, curry leaves and potatoes! This looks delicious, I haven’t had bread poha before but looks like something I’ll be trying soon!

Nazneen
Coffee and Crumpets recently posted..English Scones with Rhubarb Curd | Mother’s Day

36 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 2:20 AM

Nazneen — I’ve never heard of it too, before I got married. It’s definitely a great comforting brunch 🙂

37 rebecca May 7, 2013 at 10:12 PM

wow this makes bread fun love those Indian snacks with Chai
rebecca recently posted..Sorakkai (Bottle Gourd) Stir Fry

38 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 2:40 AM

Rebecca — ditto! 🙂

39 Lail | With A Spin May 7, 2013 at 11:05 PM

Never tried bread poha but I can tell we would love it. I’m making these soon, Kiran.
Lail | With A Spin recently posted..Savory Oatmeal Cookie With Nigella Seeds

40 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 2:40 AM

Lail — I hope you’d enjoy it! Let me know how it tastes 🙂

41 Manu May 8, 2013 at 1:08 AM

Bhabhi this takes me back to my gradAYS 🙂 when this was our breakfast.

42 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 2:41 AM

Manu — 🙂

43 Raymund May 8, 2013 at 4:35 AM

I never tried bread served like this, as usual this is interesting to me. Its also easy to make, got to try it ans as you said with fresh plump tomatoes.
Raymund recently posted..Vietnamese Style Grilled Lemongrass Pork

44 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 2:42 AM

Raymund — it’s so easy and comforting. Best served hot too, and great as a brunch menu 🙂

45 Gemma @andgeesaid May 8, 2013 at 7:30 AM

Yum! This looks delicious (: Will definitely be making this soon. I made some dahl tonight with similar ingredients (minus the bread) and the flavours are just great!
That’s so interesting about the tradition of cooking something sweet! 🙂

xx
gemma @ andgeesaid.blogspot.com.au xxx
Gemma @andgeesaid recently posted..Living Below the Line: Day 2

46 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 2:43 AM

Gemma — thank you so much! And I hope you’d enjoy this recipe, which definitely highlights sweet and plump tomatoes — best this time of the year 🙂

47 Nik May 8, 2013 at 7:34 AM

How delicious, it reminds me of panzanella. This looks delicious and comforting.
Nik recently posted..kumquat ginger sorbet

48 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 2:47 AM

Nik — thank you and yes, this is quite similar to panzanella 🙂

49 Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella May 8, 2013 at 8:25 AM

What an interesting recipe! I really thought that it might be a tartine or a sandwich but no, as you said it’s nothing like those! 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella recently posted..Vegan Banana Cake With Hokey Pokey Caramel Frosting!

50 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 2:48 AM

Lorraine — it’s just a comforting brunch recipe. So good especially with plump tomatoes 🙂

51 Yvonne @ bitter baker May 8, 2013 at 10:11 AM

This looks delicious! If it’s one thing I wish I knew how to make, it’s Indian food. I’ll have to start with this dish – if it’s one thing I have lots of at home, it’s bread! Perfect timing 🙂
Yvonne @ bitter baker recently posted..English muffins and Seattle Globalist live webcast show

52 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 2:55 AM

Yvonne — thank you so much and I hope you’ll enjoy making this recipe. There’s this pre-conceived notion that Indian foods can be a little daunting to make. I’m here to tell you, it’s quite untrue 😉

53 dixya@food, pleasure, and health May 8, 2013 at 12:04 PM

what an interest dish – this sounds scrumptious yet comforting. I have not been passed down any recipes from families – usually my mom and grandmother just takes a pinch of this and cup of that.. oh well, since m not yet married, we will have to wait to see what I will make for him 😛
dixya@food, pleasure, and health recently posted..Mexican Lasagna with Whipped Guacamole

54 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 2:57 AM

Dixya — I’m totally with you. Even my mom didn’t hand down any recipes, like handwritten ones. I’ve had to write it all on my own 😉

55 Charul @ Tadka Masala May 8, 2013 at 3:47 PM

It is indeed a filling breakfast and a very different way to use bread. My mom use to add some namkeen (bhujia) at the end to give it a nice crunch and also a little spiciness. 🙂

56 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:03 AM

Charul — love the idea of adding bhujia. Next time for sure 🙂

57 Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking May 8, 2013 at 6:26 PM

I love that you’re always opening my eyes to new cuisine and ethnic dishes, Kiran! This looks so delicious!

58 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:05 AM

Georgia — thank you so much and I love your sweet compliments, my friend 🙂

59 lizzie - strayed from the table May 8, 2013 at 6:31 PM

Looks stunning, I love the idea of bread in spices. I have no idea what I cooked after we got married, we ate left overs for two days from the wedding then we flew to Japan and then continued travelling around Asia for 5 months before I got to step into a kitchen. I think it may have been a chicken caesar salad though.
lizzie – strayed from the table recently posted..Chicken with Capers & Lemon Recipe

60 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:08 AM

Lizzie — You got to travel for so many months after marriage? That’s so adventurous!

61 john@kitchenriffs May 8, 2013 at 7:34 PM

Great looking recipes! Handed down recipes are the best, aren’t they? I have quite a few! Love this one, though – thanks for it.
john@kitchenriffs recently posted..Black-Walnut Sandies

62 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:11 AM

John — thank you!

63 Julia | JuliasAlbum.com May 8, 2013 at 7:34 PM

What a cool recipe with bread! And I love your elephant tea pot!
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com recently posted..Southwestern shrimp with pineapple salsa

64 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:13 AM

Julia — thank you and it’s from Pier 1 Imports, just so you know 🙂

65 Janine May 8, 2013 at 9:59 PM

This looks amazing! I couldn’t tell that it was bread but the thought of it being soaked with all that sauce is delicious!
Janine recently posted..Baked Kale Chips

66 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:15 AM

Janine — thank you so so much 🙂

67 Wendy Read May 8, 2013 at 11:09 PM

Lovely recipe and your photos are fantastic! So happy to have found your blog. I am looking forward to trying this recipe.

68 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:19 AM

Wendy — thank you so so much for the sweet comments. And I hope you enjoy making this recipe! 🙂

69 Juliana May 9, 2013 at 1:25 AM

So interesting this bread recipe…sounds and looks delicious Kiran…like all the spices in it.
Hope you are having a great week 🙂
Juliana recently posted..Salt Brined Cod Fish

70 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:20 AM

Juliana — thank you my friend, and hope you had a great week!

71 Anne ~ Uni Homemaker May 9, 2013 at 1:50 AM

What a unique dish! I never had bread this way. This looks delicious and your photos are always gorgeous!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker recently posted..Jalapeno Pepper Jack & Corn Muffins

72 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:21 AM

Anne — thank you. It’s a great recipe to use any leftover bread 🙂

73 Aimee @ ShugarySweets May 9, 2013 at 12:04 PM

Oh delicious.I need to make some of this soon!!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted..Slow Cooker Balsamic Shredded Beef

74 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:24 AM

Aimee — thank you! And let me know how it tastes 🙂

75 Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste May 9, 2013 at 3:46 PM

This sounds incredible, Kiran! Your photos are stunning as usual!
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste recently posted..Easy Strawberry Shortcake with Whipped Cream

76 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:28 AM

Kelly — thank you my dear 🙂

77 Hannah May 9, 2013 at 5:02 PM

Such a tempting dish, Kiran! It sounds delicious and I love all the spices in it. I’ll have to wait for our tomato season to arrive to try this one. Sounds like you had a wonderful family visit! What a treat to have someone cook and share family recipes with you. And rice pudding is a favorite of mine, too!
Hannah recently posted..Sam’s Gazpacho

78 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:42 AM

Hannah — thanks dear. and I hope you’d enjoy it. Let me know how it tastes 🙂

79 Matt @ The Athlete's Plate May 9, 2013 at 7:40 PM

Interesting recipe! I’d eat it 🙂
Matt @ The Athlete’s Plate recently posted..Mini #Whole30

80 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:46 AM

Matt — 🙂

81 Pepy | Indonesia Eats May 10, 2013 at 1:27 AM

Great recipe indeed! Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Pepy | Indonesia Eats recently posted..Ikan Ceng Cuan (Braised Ginger Fish – Peranakan Style)

82 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:46 AM

Pepy — thanks and same to you 🙂

83 easyfoodsmith May 10, 2013 at 2:03 AM

The bread poha looks very tempting. I have a bread poha recipe but never gave it a try. Your post is inspiring me to go ahead.

84 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:50 AM

EasyFoodSmith — thank you and please go ahead 🙂

85 My Kitchen Stories May 10, 2013 at 4:43 AM

I love this recipe and your very interesting tale of cooking after marriage,
My Kitchen Stories recently posted..Smoked Salmon and Yoghurt Bombs

86 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:52 AM

Tania — thank you so much!

87 Sissi May 10, 2013 at 9:19 AM

Kiran, it’s a very unusual way to enjoy bread, indeed! Tomatoes are still quite tasteless (apart from the tiny ones, but they are too expensive to cook), so I will wait to experiment with your recipe till it gets warmer.
Sissi recently posted..Rhubarb Kisiel (Warm Gooey Rhubarb Pudding)

88 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:56 AM

Sissi — a great way to enjoy leftover bread for brunch 🙂

89 Simply Life May 12, 2013 at 8:16 PM

oh wow! what an interesting dish! this looks fantastic- sounds like you had a trip filled with great food!
Simply Life recently posted..Tomato Barley Risotto with Feta | Granola Chips GIVEAWAY

90 Kiran May 13, 2013 at 3:57 AM

Gina — thank you my friend 🙂

91 Radhika Vasanth May 14, 2013 at 10:15 AM

Love that kettle and all your pictures. And this is one of our favorite breakfast.
Radhika Vasanth recently posted..Weekly Meal Plan – Making everyday cooking easy

92 Kiran June 13, 2013 at 10:30 PM

Radhika — thank you so much! must make some soon, it’s been a while 🙂

93 Mr. & Mrs. P May 14, 2013 at 1:16 PM

Looks delicious!!! LOVE the elephant tea pot!!!!!!
Mr. & Mrs. P recently posted..Brunch for Mom

94 Kiran June 13, 2013 at 10:30 PM

Mr & Mrs P — thank you! 🙂

95 Your Cookery Book May 14, 2013 at 2:35 PM

Wow! I got to try this for breakfast. Your teapot is gorgeous.

Btw, I’m thinking to buy new professional camera. Any suggestion will be appreciated.

Thanks 🙂
Your Cookery Book recently posted..How to Make Indian Fried Rice Recipe

96 Kiran June 13, 2013 at 10:32 PM

YCB — thank you so much! I hope you got to try this recipe 🙂

In regards to professional camera — i am not at all qualified to answer this question. But I can tell you which camera and lens i use for photography 🙂

Nikon D5000 with a macro 50mm lens! Good luck!

97 Nupur May 16, 2013 at 11:33 AM

The simple recipe Like Bread Poha looks so tempting in your pics Kiran, love the use of that blue Kettle.. very subtle.
Nupur recently posted..Making Pizza from Scratch : Two ways

98 Kiran June 13, 2013 at 10:32 PM

Nupur — thank you so much! xo

99 Nami | Just One Cookbook May 17, 2013 at 4:05 AM

I would never guessed this is made out of bread pieces! I love the second picture from the top. I can recognize right away it’s your photo. So pretty!
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Temaki Sushi (Hand Roll)

100 Kiran June 13, 2013 at 10:33 PM

Nami — awww, thanks so much my sweet friend 🙂

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