"Pav" means bread and "bhaji" means vegetable or vegetable curry. Thus, both together make a delicious and healthy combination of bread and mixed vegetable curry topped with butter.
Potatoes, capsicum and peas are the most commonly used vegetables in this dish, but you can also add carrots, cauliflower and french beans to make it more healthy and colorful.
The dish uses a special spice blend called "Pav Bhaji Masala" which is easily available in any grocery store of India or can be made in home too.
Here is a step-by-step recipe to make the dish just like the ones available in Juhu beach or Chowpatty style.
Ingredients for 4 servings:
- 8 pav bread (I have used normal buns as I could not source the typical pav bread)
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 3 tomatoes chopped
- 3 potatoes boiled, peeled and mashed
- 1 large carrot boiled, peeled and mashed
- 1/2 capsicum chopped
- 1/4 cup green peas
- 1/2 lemon
- 4 tsp. coriander leaves chopped
- 2 tsp. pav bhaji masala (get on Amazon)
- 2 tsp. dried kasuri methi/fenugreek leaves
- 1.5 tsp. red chilly powder
- 1 tsp. ginger-garlic paste
- 1/2 tsp. haldi/turmeric powder
- salt to taste
- butter for cooking
Method:
For making bhaji -
In a large kadhai or skillet, add 1 tbsp. butter.
Add tomatoes, peas, capsicum, potatoes and carrots.
Cover cook for 10 minutes.
Mash with a ladle.
Add 1 tsp. chili powder, 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder, 1 tsp. pav bhaji masala, 1 tsp. coriander leaves, 1 tsp. kasuri methi and mix well.
Make sure the spices cook well and blend properly.
Create a space in the center of the cooking vessel by moving out the mashed vegetables to the sides.
Into the cavity, add 1 tsp butter, 1/2 pav bhaji masala, 1/4 chili powder, 1 tsp kasuri methi and salt to taste.
Add 1 tsp. chili powder, 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder, 1 tsp. pav bhaji masala, 1 tsp. coriander leaves, 1 tsp. kasuri methi and mix well.
Make sure the spices cook well and blend properly.
Create a space in the center of the cooking vessel by moving out the mashed vegetables to the sides.
Into the cavity, add 1 tsp butter, 1/2 pav bhaji masala, 1/4 chili powder, 1 tsp kasuri methi and salt to taste.
Add some more onions for a crunchy texture.
Add about 1/2 cup of water and keep adding according to your desired consistency.
Cover cook for another 10 minutes.
Squeeze in juice of half a lemon and mash the vegetables till the texture is smooth.
Your bhaji is ready.
For making the pav -
In a frying pan, heat 1/2 tsp of butter and fry a pinch of pav bhaji masala and chopped coriander leaves.
Now split the pav bread in half horizontally and fry with the spices.
Fry till both the sides of pav are warm enough.
Additionally, you can also serve a slice of lemon and chopped coriander leaves.
Enjoy the spicy and hot dish with your loved ones!
Sohini Nandi
Hello from the Land of Santa Claus!
Professionally I am a Conservation Architect. That means I spend most of my time snooping around dilapidated and haunted buildings. I love the smell of old damp lime washed walls. Sorry to put you off with all the unpleasant details.
Now for the fun facts. I have been living in this extremely cold socialist country (its Finland, for the people who are still guessing!) for a few years. But I was in London doing my second post-graduation (University College London) and working on a few projects for the last 1.5 years.
Being a culture enthusiast, I have travelled far and wide in Europe learning culture and trying the unique local cuisines. Yes, I am a foodie too!
In SpicesnSecrets I will be sharing some of my experiences for similar lost souls in an alien country.
Cheers to life!
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