Pav Bhaji recipe / Mumbai street food

Pav Bhaji is a popular street food in India, especially in Mumbai. It’s a flavorful, spicy vegetable mash (bhaji) served with buttered, toasted bread rolls (pav). Here’s an easy recipe for you to make this delicious and hearty dish at home.

Pav Bhaji Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Bhaji (Vegetable Mash):

• 2 tablespoons butter (for cooking)
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
• 2 medium potatoes, boiled and mashed
• 1/2 cup cauliflower florets, steamed and mashed
• 1 medium carrot, boiled and mashed
• 2 tablespoons Pav Bhaji masala (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt, to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (for garnish)

For the Pav (Bread Rolls):

• 8 pav buns (or any soft dinner rolls)
• 3-4 tablespoons butter (for toasting)
• 1 teaspoon Pav Bhaji masala (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Bhaji (Vegetable Mash):

• Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large pan or kadhai over medium heat. Once the butter melts, add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
• Add the finely chopped onions and sauté them until they turn golden brown.
• Add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
• Add the chopped tomatoes, and cook until they soften and the oil starts to separate from the mixture.
• Now, add the chopped bell pepper (if using) and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
• Add the boiled and mashed vegetables: potatoes, cauliflower, and carrot. Stir well to combine all the vegetables.
• Add the green peas and cook for 5-6 minutes until the peas are tender.
• Sprinkle in the Pav Bhaji masala, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix everything well.
• Use a potato masher to mash the vegetables together, breaking them down into a thick, chunky consistency. If the mixture seems too dry, add a little water to reach the desired consistency.
• Once everything is well mashed and cooked through, add lemon juice and stir.
• Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.

2. Prepare the Pav (Bread Rolls):

• Heat a tawa or griddle over medium heat. Cut the pav buns horizontally but not all the way through (leaving them attached at the sides).
• Add a generous amount of butter to the tawa and place the pav buns on the buttered surface, cut side down. Toast until they turn golden and crispy. You can sprinkle a little Pav Bhaji masala on the inside of the pav while toasting for extra flavor (optional).

3. Serve:

• Serve the hot, spicy bhaji with the buttered pav rolls on the side.
• You can top the bhaji with a dollop of butter, a squeeze of lemon juice, and extra chopped cilantro.
• Enjoy with a side of sliced onions and a wedge of lemon.

Tips:

• Pav Bhaji Masala: This is the key spice mix for authentic Pav Bhaji flavor. You can find it at Indian grocery stores, or you can make your own by combining garam masala, coriander powder, cumin powder, dry mango powder, and red chili powder.
• Spice Level: Adjust the amount of red chili powder to suit your taste. For extra heat, you can add green chilies while cooking the onions.
• Creaminess: If you prefer a creamier texture, you can add a tablespoon or two of butter or cream to the bhaji towards the end of cooking.
• Vegetables: You can use other vegetables like green beans, peas, or corn based on what you have available. Just make sure they’re cooked and mashed well.

Serving Suggestions:

• Pav Bhaji is often served as a quick snack or a full meal in India. It’s great for lunch, dinner, or even a hearty evening snack.
• You can also pair it with a cold drink like chaas (buttermilk) or limca (a lemon-flavored soft drink) for an authentic Indian experience.

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Enjoy your homemade Pav Bhaji! Let me know if you need more Indian street food recipes and your thoughts in the comment section.