Master The Art Of Cooking Pav Bhaji Like A Pro

Pav Bhaji is a popular street food made by mashing boiled vegetables like potatoes, peas, cauliflower, and carrots into a flavorful tomato-onion masala. The vegetables are cooked with spices like pav bhaji masala, cumin, and garam masala, then served with butter-toasted pav buns. Garnish with coriander, lemon, and onions for a delicious, satisfying meal.

Ingredients for Bhaji:

• 3 medium potatoes, boiled and mashed
• 1 cup cauliflower, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup peas
• 1/2 cup carrots, finely chopped
• 1 medium bell pepper (capsicum), finely chopped
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 2 green chilies, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon red chili powder
• 2 tablespoons pav bhaji masala
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• Salt to taste
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Ingredients for Pav:

• 6 pav (soft dinner rolls or bread buns)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon pav bhaji masala (for flavoring the pav)
• Chopped fresh coriander leaves for garnish
• Lemon wedges and finely chopped onions for serving

Instructions for Making Bhaji:

Step 1: Boil and Mash Vegetables

• Start by boiling potatoes, peas, cauliflower, and carrots until they are soft. You can either pressure cook them for 2-3 whistles or boil them in a pot. Once done, mash the vegetables together until smooth, and set them aside.

Step 2: Cook the Masala Base

• In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Add cumin seeds, and let them crackle for a few seconds. Add the chopped onions and saut them until they turn golden brown.
• Now, add the ginger-garlic paste and green chilies. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the raw smell of the ginger-garlic disappears.

Step 3: Add Tomatoes and Spices

• Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and cook them until they turn soft and mushy. Add salt, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and pav bhaji masala. Stir well, and cook for 5-7 minutes until the masala is fully cooked and fragrant.

Step 4: Add Mashed Vegetables

• Add the mashed vegetables (potatoes, peas, cauliflower, and carrots) to the pan. Mix everything well and use a potato masher to further mash the vegetables into the masala. Add about 1 cup of water to adjust the consistency of the bhaji. Let it simmer on medium heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Finish with Butter and Lemon Juice

• Once the bhaji is thick and smooth, add a tablespoon of butter and a squeeze of lemon juice. Sprinkle garam masala and garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Taste the bhaji and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Simmer for another 5 minutes.

Step 6: Toast the Pav

• Heat a tawa (griddle) or pan, and melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of pav bhaji masala on the butter, and toast the pav buns on the tawa. Flip and toast both sides until they are golden and crisp.

Serving:

• Serve the hot pav bhaji with the butter-toasted pav buns. Garnish with more chopped onions, fresh coriander leaves, and a wedge of lemon. You can also add a dollop of butter on top of the bhaji for extra richness.

Enjoy your delicious homemade Pav Bhaji.