Bread Masala / Upma

Solitary lunches are usually breakfast items for me, maybe Poha or Bread Omelette... something like that. What am I cooking for myself? Bread Masala! A wholesome and quick snack cum meal with veggies and nuts.

Ingredients:

Sliced Bread - 6 slices

Onion - 1 medium

Grated Carrots - about 1/2 cup
Green Peas - 1/2 cup

Curry Leaves/Kadipata - a sprig (optional)

Cumin/Jeera seeds - 1/2 tsp

Roasted Peanuts - 1/2 cup

Turmeric/Haldi - 1/8 tsp
Spanish Paprika - 1/4 tsp
Red Chili Powder - 1/2 tsp

Chat Masala - 1/4 tsp

Garam Masala - 1/4 tsp
Sugar - 1 tsp

Oil - 3 tbsp

Salt

How to cook Bread Masala:

Finely chop onions, peel and grate the carrots. Chop the bread slices into small pieces.
Pat the curry leaves dry. Grind the roasted peanuts in a blender or a food processor to a slightly coarse powder.

Heat 2 - 3 tbsp oil in a pan/skillet and add cumin seeds and curry leaves. After few seconds, add finely chopped onions. Sauté until onions soften and turn translucent. You can add some ginger and garlic too, if you like.

Next, add the veggies - grated carrots and thawed peas. Add some chopped cilantro/coriander leaves if you like.

Sauté for 2 - 3 minutes. Next, add all the spices - paprika, chili powder, turmeric, chat masala, garam masala and salt. Sauté for a couple minutes.

You can add any other seasonings of your choice - Chicken Masala, Pav Bhaji Masala, Kitchen King Masala and so on. If you like more heat, add green chilies instead of chili powder.

Add bread pieces and sauté at low heat, until all the ingredients are mixed well. Lastly, add powdered peanuts and sugar. Stir at low heat for another couple minutes.

If you don't like peanuts, you can add 1/2 cup shredded coconut as well. Or a tbsp of cashews taste great too.