Bread UsaL

Mom tells us this funny story. When she was in college, her friend invited their group for some snacks. She told them that there will be "paavacha Noor Jahan!". All the college friends kept wondering what in the world would paavacha noor jahan be? They kept thinking it must be some Moghlai delicacy which was created for Noor Jahan's honor.Then, they couldn't concur whether it could be the queen Noor Jahan or the singer Noor Jahan!! Nobody ever heard of it in all the combined lanugages they spoke or knew. Finally the dish arrived which was known to the mere mortals are "bread chi usal/bhaaji/pava upkari/pava usli/vagharela bread/ masala bread". :-D Mom and her friends enjoyed the yummy snack immensely at the end of a busy day! After all, what's in name?

Bread UsaL/Bhaaji/Vagharela bread/Bread usli
Spiced Bread
Ingredients

• 6 slices of white bread, torn by hand to small pieces approx 2 1/2 cups
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp sugar

Tempering

• 1 tbsp oil
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/4 tsp asafoetida
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 green chilies, slit
• 1 sprig curry leaves, torn
• 1 small onion, chopped approx = 1/4 cup chopped

Garnish

• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1 tbsp fresh coconut
  

Accompaniment

• lemon wedges
  

Method
1. Heat oil in a wok or kadai.
2. Add all the ingredients for tempering. Saute till onion is soft. Sprinkle few drops of water from time to time
3. Add salt & sugar
4. Sprinkle some more water drops. Add bread pieces. Mix well.
5. Cover with a lid. Place some water on top.
6. Let it cook for 5 minutes.
7. Add coconut and cilantro.
8. Serve hot with lemon wedges and a cup of hot tea.

Note -
1. This snack should be soft and not crunchy. However, it should not turn mushy.

Source: Enjoy Indian Food