Friday, September 9, 2011

Pav Bhaji

How to make Pav Bhaji

Pav Bhaji is a famous street food in Mumbai, India. Eventually it became a top item in the restaurant menu. For people who don't know what pav bhaji is - Its a blend of all kinda veggies with spicy pav bhaji masala. This masala is store bought so there is hardly a chance for this to go wrong. The hitch here is to choose the vegetables.


Here is what we need -

  • 3 tbs oil
  • 1 big size onion
  • 1 big size tomato
  • 4-5 garlic cloves
  • a piece of ginger
  • 1 cup cauliflower
  • 4 medium size potatoes (I usually take 1 potato per person)
  • 1 medium size green bell pepper
  • 2-3 green chilies
  • 1 cup green pees
  • 1/2 onion+cilantro+lemon to garnish
  • 2 tbs salted butter
  • Bun bread
  • 2 tbs pav bhaji masala (Indian store bought. I like Everest Brand)

Whats Next -

Boil potatoes in the pressure cooker with 2 cups water. I usually do 3 to 4 whistles but it really depends on the pressure cooker.

Fine chop onion. Take oil in a heavy bottom pan. Once hot add onion. Peel cloves. In a blender make a paste of ginger, garlic and green chilies. you can fine chop everything too.

Check on your potatoes if its time switch off the stove.

Once the onions are translucent put the ginger, garlic and chili paste in it. Chop tomato. Add it. Let it cook for a few minutes.

Its time to open pressure cooker lid and take out the potatoes with the help of fork and set it on the counter to cool off.

Fine chop bell peppers and cauliflower. It cooks fast that's why it is added at the end. As soon as you add these 2 veggies add salt and pav bhaji masala. This helps to ooze water out of the veggies and mix well with pav bhaji masala. Keep stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile peel and mash potatoes. Add it to the above masala. Mix everything well.

If you are using frozen green pees; microwave it for 2 minutes and add it to pav bhaji, Add enough water to make it thin.

I usually run 1/3rd of the the pav bhaji through blender as I feel it helps incorporate well with rest of the masala but this step is completely optional.

Add 2 tbs butter on top and cover it with lid and let it cook for 2-3 minutes.

Pav bhaji is ready but we have to make the pav ready. Heat griddle on the stove. Smear butter on both the sides of the bun. Put the bread on the griddle. In a minutes flip it to the other side. It should be Golden brown.

Take a pav bhaji in a serving bowl. Garnish it with a spoonful of chopped onion, cilantro & few drops of lemon.

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