Pav Bhaji is a popular Indian street food dish consisting of a spicy vegetable curry (bhaji) served with soft bread rolls (pav). It is a flavorful and satisfying dish loved by people of all ages. Here is a recipe for Pav Bhaji:
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Ready Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
For the Bhaji:
- 2 medium-sized potatoes, boiled and mashed
- 1 cup cauliflower florets, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup green peas
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
- 1/2 cup finely chopped bell peppers (capsicum)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 2 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon pav bhaji masala
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
For the Pav:
- 8 soft bread rolls (pav)
- Butter for toasting
Instructions:
- Heat butter in a large pan or kadai over medium heat.
- Add cumin seeds to the pan and let them splutter.
- Add chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent.
- Add ginger-garlic paste and green chilies to the pan. Sauté for a minute until the raw smell disappears.
- Add chopped bell peppers (capsicum) to the pan and sauté for a couple of minutes.
- Add finely chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and mushy.
- Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and pav bhaji masala to the pan. Mix well and cook for a minute to release the flavors.
- Add finely chopped cauliflower florets and green peas to the pan. Mix everything together.
- Pour a little water into the pan, cover it, and let the vegetables cook until they become tender. Stir occasionally and add more water if needed.
- Once the vegetables are cooked, add the mashed potatoes to the pan. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
- Using a potato masher or a large spoon, mash the vegetables and potatoes together until you get a smooth and mashed consistency.
- Add salt to taste and mix well. Adjust the seasoning and spices according to your preference.
- Continue cooking the bhaji for a few more minutes to allow the flavors to blend together. Add more water if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
- Remove the pan from heat and garnish the bhaji with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
- For the pav, slice the bread rolls horizontally but keep one side intact.
- Heat a griddle or a tawa and spread some butter on it.
- Place the sliced pav on the griddle and toast them on both sides until they turn light golden brown and crispy.
- Serve the hot and spicy pav bhaji with the toasted pav, lemon wedges, and additional butter if desired.
Pav Bhaji is best enjoyed by squeezing some lemon juice on top and serving it with diced onions and a dollop of butter. It makes a delicious and fulfilling meal.
Note: Cooking times may vary depending on the heat and the type of stove used. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
This recipe serves 4-6 people. Feel free to adjust the quantity of ingredients based on your requirements. Enjoy the flavorful Pav Bhaji!