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Pav Bhaji

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Pav Bhaji is a popular Indian street food made with a spiced vegetable mash served with soft buttered rolls (pav). This dish is a flavorful and comforting combination of mixed vegetables, cooked in aromatic spices, and served with toasted pav, making it the perfect street food experience right at home.

Ingredients

  • For the Bhaji (Vegetable Mash):
  • 2 tablespoons oil or butter
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 1 cup cauliflower, chopped
  • 1 medium potato, boiled and mashed
  • 1 carrot, chopped
  • ½ cup peas (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 tablespoon pav bhaji masala
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Fresh coriander (cilantro) for garnish
  • For the Pav (Bread Rolls):
  • 4–6 pav (Indian bread rolls) or burger buns
  • Butter for toasting

Instructions

  1. For the Bhaji: Prepare the Vegetables: In a pressure cooker or large pot, cook the cauliflower, carrots, and peas together with some water until they are soft and tender (about 2-3 whistles in the pressure cooker or 10-12 minutes in a pot). Once cooked, mash the vegetables and set them aside.
  2. Cook the Masala: In a large pan, heat the oil or butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
  3. Add the green bell pepper and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute until fragrant. Then, add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften.
  5. Add the Spices: Stir in the turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, and pav bhaji masala. Cook the spices for 2-3 minutes until they release their aroma and the oil starts to separate from the masala.
  6. Combine the Vegetables: Add the mashed boiled potato and the pre-cooked vegetable mixture (cauliflower, peas, and carrots) into the pan. Mix everything well.
  7. Use a potato masher to mash everything together until the vegetables form a thick, chunky mixture.
  8. Adjust Consistency: Add a little water to adjust the consistency of the bhaji. Cook the mixture on low heat for 5-7 minutes, allowing all the flavors to blend together.
  9. Add salt to taste, and stir in the lemon juice and fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves for freshness.
  10. For the Pav: Toast the Pav: In a separate pan, heat a little butter. Place the pav (bread rolls) on the pan and toast them until golden brown on both sides. The pav should be soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
  11. To Serve: Assemble the Dish: Serve the bhaji hot, garnished with more fresh coriander and a dollop of butter (optional).
  12. Serve the pav on the side, or open them and dip them directly into the bhaji.

Notes

Spicy Bhaji: Add extra green chilies or chili powder for more heat.Cheese Pav Bhaji: Top the bhaji with melted cheese for a cheesy twist.Vegan Version: Use plant-based butter or oil and skip the butter for toasting the pav to make it completely vegan.Add More Vegetables: Feel free to add additional vegetables like spinach, green beans, or corn for more texture and nutrition.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookibly.com/pav-bhaji/