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.
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?
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 🙂
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:
- Heat a large skillet on medium. Once heated, add oil. Wait for the oil to heat, add mustard seeds.
- Once mustard seeds sputters, add diced onions. Cook for 2 minutes or until onions are translucent and fragrant.
- Add curry leaves, green chilies, turmeric powder and plum tomatoes. Cook for 10 minutes or until tomatoes are mushed and forms some gravy.
- Throw in chopped cooked potatoes and some water. Gently simmer for 5 minutes until tomato sauce thickens.
- Sprinkle salt and black pepper. Stir.
- 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.
- Serve hot with a cuppa homemade chai. Enjoy!
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!
Comments on this entry are closed.
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
Ina — thank you my friend, the potatoes is comforting 🙂
That is such a great/original recipe! Perfect for using leftover bread. Yummy!
Cheers,
Rosa
Rosa — totally!
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
Daniela — Love it when there’s a variety of similarly delicious and comforting recipe 🙂
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
Sia — aah, the precious memories of childhood 🙂
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
Laura — thanks for sharing your memories. Just so you know, I bought the teapot from Pier 1 Imports 🙂
Bread & potatoes…so comforting and yummy!
Kari@Loaves n Dishes recently posted..BAKED POTATO CROQUETTES with SWISS CHARD, CRISPY PROSCIUTTO, & Romesco Sauce
Kari — ditto!!
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
Gourmantine — blog about it 🙂
I loved to make bread poha (which we call bread kachurma) from my husband. It one of our fav saunday breakfast 🙂
Kankana — i need to make it again. Perhaps this weekend 🙂
Any recipe with bread and tomatoes sounds like heaven to me!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..chocolate-strawberry cupcakes
one of our favorite bread snack. i also make these for breakfast. i agree on adding fresh tomatoes.
dassana recently posted..idli chaat
Dassana — totally 🙂
Laura — 🙂
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
Hannah — you are welcome. It’s a simple and comforting recipe 🙂
This is definitely something I would love to have on my table Kiran! Mothers are irreplaceable!
Katerina recently posted..Spinach and Goat Cheese Muffins
Katerina — 🙂
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
CCU — lol, thanks my dear 🙂
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
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 🙂
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
Kiersten — love stir-fry and memories surrounding food in our lives. Thanks for sharing, friend 🙂
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
Lauramess — you are welcome and thank you for commenting. This recipe is definitely great if you have leftover bread to consume 🙂
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
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 😀
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
Nazneen — I’ve never heard of it too, before I got married. It’s definitely a great comforting brunch 🙂
wow this makes bread fun love those Indian snacks with Chai
rebecca recently posted..Sorakkai (Bottle Gourd) Stir Fry
Rebecca — ditto! 🙂
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
Lail — I hope you’d enjoy it! Let me know how it tastes 🙂
Bhabhi this takes me back to my gradAYS 🙂 when this was our breakfast.
Manu — 🙂
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
Raymund — it’s so easy and comforting. Best served hot too, and great as a brunch menu 🙂
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
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 🙂
How delicious, it reminds me of panzanella. This looks delicious and comforting.
Nik recently posted..kumquat ginger sorbet
Nik — thank you and yes, this is quite similar to panzanella 🙂
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!
Lorraine — it’s just a comforting brunch recipe. So good especially with plump tomatoes 🙂
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
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 😉
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
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 😉
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. 🙂
Charul — love the idea of adding bhujia. Next time for sure 🙂
I love that you’re always opening my eyes to new cuisine and ethnic dishes, Kiran! This looks so delicious!
Georgia — thank you so much and I love your sweet compliments, my friend 🙂
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
Lizzie — You got to travel for so many months after marriage? That’s so adventurous!
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
John — thank you!
What a cool recipe with bread! And I love your elephant tea pot!
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com recently posted..Southwestern shrimp with pineapple salsa
Julia — thank you and it’s from Pier 1 Imports, just so you know 🙂
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
Janine — thank you so so much 🙂
Lovely recipe and your photos are fantastic! So happy to have found your blog. I am looking forward to trying this recipe.
Wendy — thank you so so much for the sweet comments. And I hope you enjoy making this recipe! 🙂
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
Juliana — thank you my friend, and hope you had a great week!
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
Anne — thank you. It’s a great recipe to use any leftover bread 🙂
Oh delicious.I need to make some of this soon!!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted..Slow Cooker Balsamic Shredded Beef
Aimee — thank you! And let me know how it tastes 🙂
This sounds incredible, Kiran! Your photos are stunning as usual!
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste recently posted..Easy Strawberry Shortcake with Whipped Cream
Kelly — thank you my dear 🙂
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
Hannah — thanks dear. and I hope you’d enjoy it. Let me know how it tastes 🙂
Interesting recipe! I’d eat it 🙂
Matt @ The Athlete’s Plate recently posted..Mini #Whole30
Matt — 🙂
Great recipe indeed! Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Pepy | Indonesia Eats recently posted..Ikan Ceng Cuan (Braised Ginger Fish – Peranakan Style)
Pepy — thanks and same to you 🙂
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.
EasyFoodSmith — thank you and please go ahead 🙂
I love this recipe and your very interesting tale of cooking after marriage,
My Kitchen Stories recently posted..Smoked Salmon and Yoghurt Bombs
Tania — thank you so much!
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)
Sissi — a great way to enjoy leftover bread for brunch 🙂
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
Gina — thank you my friend 🙂
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
Radhika — thank you so much! must make some soon, it’s been a while 🙂
Looks delicious!!! LOVE the elephant tea pot!!!!!!
Mr. & Mrs. P recently posted..Brunch for Mom
Mr & Mrs P — thank you! 🙂
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
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!
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
Nupur — thank you so much! xo
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)
Nami — awww, thanks so much my sweet friend 🙂