6 Quick Steps To Make Delicious Pav Bhaji For Breakfast
Pav Bhaji is a popular Indian street food featuring a flavorful and spicy vegetable mash served with buttered bread rolls. The dish consists of a hearty mix of mashed potatoes, cauliflower, peas, carrots, and bell peppers cooked with aromatic spices, tomatoes, and a special Pav Bhaji masala. The resulting bhaji is served piping hot with soft, toasted pav (bread rolls) slathered with butter. Often garnished with fresh coriander, lemon wedges, and onions, Pav Bhaji is known for its rich taste and is enjoyed as a comforting snack or meal.
Pav Bhaji is a popular Indian street food consisting of a spicy vegetable mash (bhaji) served with buttered bread rolls (pav). Here's a simple recipe to make Pav Bhaji at home:
1. Ingredients
For the Bhaji:
- Potatoes: 3 large, peeled and diced
- Cauliflower: 1 cup, chopped
- Green peas: 1/2 cup
- Carrots: 1 cup, diced
- Onion: 1 large, finely chopped
- Tomatoes: 2 large, finely chopped
- Bell peppers: 1 cup, finely chopped
- Green chilies: 2, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- Ginger-garlic paste: 1 tablespoon
- Pav Bhaji Masala: 2 tablespoons (available at Indian grocery stores)
- Red chili powder: 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
- Turmeric powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Coriander powder: 1 teaspoon
- Cumin seeds: 1 teaspoon
- Mustard seeds: 1/2 teaspoon
- Butter: 2 tablespoons (plus extra for serving)
- Oil: 1 tablespoon
- Salt: to taste
- Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
- Fresh coriander leaves: for garnish
- Water: as needed
For the Pav:
- Pav (bread rolls): 8-10
- Butter: for toasting
2. Instructions
Prepare the Bhaji:
Step 1- Cook the Vegetables:
- In a large pot, add the diced potatoes, cauliflower, green peas, carrots, and enough water to cover. Cook until all vegetables are tender. Drain and set aside.
Step 2- Prepare the Masala:
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Once they start to splutter, add the chopped onions and saut until they turn golden brown.
- Add the ginger-garlic paste and green chilies. Saut for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and the oil begins to separate from the mixture.
Step 3- Add Spices:
- Stir in the red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and Pav Bhaji Masala. Cook for a few minutes, mixing well.
Step 4- Mash the Vegetables:
- Add the cooked vegetables to the pan. Use a potato masher to mash everything together, blending the vegetables with the spice mixture. Add water as needed to achieve the desired consistency (a thick, semi-liquid consistency works best).
Step 5- Simmer and Finish:
- Let the mixture simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add butter and mix well. Adjust salt and spice levels as needed.
- Stir in lemon juice and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
Prepare the Pav:
Step 1- Toast the Pav:
- Heat a little butter in a pan over medium heat. Slice the pav (bread rolls) horizontally but not all the way through. Toast each side until golden brown and crispy.
Serve:
- Serve the hot bhaji with the toasted pav, garnished with additional butter, chopped onions, lemon wedges, and fresh coriander. Enjoy!
This Pav Bhaji recipe is perfect for a satisfying snack or meal and brings the vibrant flavors of Indian street food right to your kitchen.