Food : How to prepare Pav Bhaji , popular Indian dish

 

Pav Bhaji is a popular Indian street food dish consisting of a spicy vegetable curry (bhaji) served with buttered and toasted bread rolls (pav). It's a flavorful and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed as a snack or a meal. Here's a traditional recipe for making Pav Bhaji at home:

Ingredients:

For Bhaji:

3 medium-sized potatoes, boiled and mashed

1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, cauliflower, green peas, bell peppers), boiled and mashed

1 large onion, finely chopped

1 large tomato, finely chopped

1/2 cup boiled and mashed pumpkin or bottle gourd (optional, for creaminess)

1/2 cup boiled and mashed eggplant (optional, for richness)

1/2 cup boiled and mashed capsicum (bell pepper)

2-3 green chilies, finely chopped (adjust to your spice level)

1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

2 tablespoons Pav Bhaji masala (readily available in stores)

1 tablespoon red chili powder (adjust to your spice level)

Salt to taste

2 tablespoons oil or butter

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) for garnish

For Pav:

8 pav bread rolls

2 tablespoons butter

For Serving:

Chopped onions and lemon wedges

Additional butter for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Prepare the Bhaji:

Heat oil or butter in a large pan or kadhai over medium heat.

Add the chopped onions and green chilies. Sauté until the onions become translucent.

Add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another minute until the raw smell disappears.

Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and mushy.

Add the mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, boiled pumpkin or bottle gourd, boiled eggplant, and mashed capsicum to the pan. Mix well to combine all the vegetables.

Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, Pav Bhaji masala, and salt. Stir everything together until the spices are well incorporated into the vegetables.

Cook the bhaji on low heat for about 10-15 minutes, mashing the vegetables with the back of a spoon or a potato masher to get a smooth consistency. You can add a little water if the mixture is too dry.

Once the bhaji reaches the desired consistency, add lemon juice and give it a final stir. Adjust salt and spices to taste.

Garnish the bhaji with chopped cilantro and keep it aside.

Prepare the Pav:

Slit the pav bread rolls horizontally, but not all the way through, leaving one edge intact.

Heat a tava (griddle) or a flat pan and spread some butter on it.

Place the pav on the pan and toast them on both sides until they turn golden brown and slightly crispy.

Once toasted, remove the pav from the pan and spread a little more butter on each roll.

Serve the Pav Bhaji:

Serve the hot and spicy bhaji in a plate, topped with a dollop of butter.

Garnish with some more chopped cilantro, and serve with the buttered and toasted pav bread rolls.

Serve the Pav Bhaji with chopped onions and lemon wedges on the side.

Enjoy the mouthwatering Pav Bhaji with your family and friends! It's a delightful and flavorful dish that's sure to please everyone's taste buds.