Pav Bhaji
Pav Bhaji is a beloved street food that originated in the bustling city of Mumbai. It consists of a spicy, buttery mashed vegetable curry (called bhaji) served piping hot with soft, lightly toasted bread rolls (known as pav). It’s a favorite across India and loved for its rich flavor, ease of preparation, and irresistible aroma.
Equipment
- 1 Pressure cooker
- 1 Pan
- 1 Masher
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 no Pav bhaji masala
- 4 no Tomatoes medium
- 3 no Potatoes big
- 1/2 no Beetroot
- 1 no Carrot
- 2 tbsp Green peas
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 no Onion
- 1/2 no Capsicum
- To taste Salt
- 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
- 1 tbsp Pav Bhaji masala
- 1 no Green chilli
- 2 tbsp Coriander leaves
- 1 tsp Lemon juice
Instructions
Prepare the Vegetable Base
- In a pressure cooker, heat some butter and sauté cumin seeds. Add pav bhaji masala and let it sizzle briefly.
Add Vegetables
- Now add chopped tomatoes, beetroot, carrot, green peas, and potatoes. Season with salt, pour in some water, and pressure cook until the vegetables are soft.
Mash the Veggies
- Once cooked, mash the vegetables thoroughly until you get a smooth and well-blended mixture.
Prepare the Masala
- In a separate pan, heat butter and sauté finely chopped onions until they turn translucent. Add chopped capsicum and cook for a couple of minutes.
Add Flavours
- Mix in more pav bhaji masala, green chilli, and chopped coriander leaves. Sauté until the spices are well roasted.
Combine and Simmer
- Add the mashed vegetables to this masala mixture and combine well. Let it simmer for a few minutes to absorb all the flavors.
Final Touch
- Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and a generous dollop of butter before serving.
How to Toast the Pav
- Heat a pan over medium flame and melt some butter. Sprinkle a little pav bhaji masala over the melted butter for added flavour.
- Place the pav (buns) on the pan and gently press them down. Toast until they turn golden and crisp on both sides.
How to Serve Pav Bhaji
- Spoon a generous portion of the hot bhaji onto a plate. Top it with a dollop of butter for that authentic street-style touch.
- Serve it with two toasted pav buns, finely chopped onions, and a lemon wedge on the side.
Notes
- Prep ahead: You can boil the vegetables and refrigerate a day in advance for quick assembly.
- Street-style trick: Add a cube of butter on top of the bhaji while serving for that signature look.
- Serving idea: Serve hot with toasted pav, chopped onions, lemon wedges, and a dollop of butter on top.
- Leftovers tip: Use leftover bhaji as a sandwich or dosa filling the next day.