Pav Bhaji

 

Pav bhaji  is a fast food  dish native to Maharashtrians and  is popular in most metropolitan areas in India, particularly in the Maharashtrian city of Mumbai and Gujarat region. Pav  in Marathi means bread, Bhaji in Marathi means vegetable dish. Pav bhaji consists of the bhaji (a potato-based curry) and the pav, garnished with  coriander leaves or cilantro and chopped onions.The Bhaji is a thick gravy made by adding diced tomatoes , finely grilled onions, green peas,capsicums(green pepper) and other vegetables like cauliflower and carrots. A special blend of spices simply called the pav bhaji masala  is added to this thick gravy. The gravy is then allowed to simmer on the pan for a few minutes and is served hot in a flat dish with a tablespoon of butter on top.The pav (bread) is roasted on the same pan with an ample amount of butter and a masala (usually chilli powder and salt). The Bhaji is garnished with diced onions and a slice of lemon and served with the pav.It is consumed as a snack, between lunch and dinner, particularly by individuals in Western India. In this part of India, pav bhaji is available on hand carts . It is also available in almost all hotels and eateries. In recent years, pav bhaji is also consumed as a light evening meal, and is also a party favorite.

I tasted this first after reaching USA as it was a favorite item in our ladies parties . The only name invites interest and cheers of all guests and the fun part would be the making of pav for which few ladies would occupy the cooking range in our small kitchens and do the pav heating on tawa. Now I too started making it for our dinner at home. Usually the taste of it is the dollop of butter adding in the gravy to garnish and the butter used to toast the pav. But here you know me by now, I do not use butter ,its a bit less scrumptious but we are satisfied with that taste . 

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

• Pav - Bun (I use the hamburger bins available in small packets)
• Butter - 4 tablespoons
• Mixed vegetables - Potatoes, green beans, green peas, carrots and corn. (You can use cauliflower florets,capsicum  and cabbage too of its available in your pantry)-chopped in cubes- 1 cup
• Onion- 1 big sized finely chopped
• Tomatoes- 2 big chopped to cubes
• Ginger - 1 inch piece -finely chopped
• Garlic- 3 pods-finely chopped
• Green chillies- 4 finely chopped
• Coriander leaves/cilantro- finely chopped- 1 cup
• Cumin seeds- 1/4 tablespoon
• Turmeric powder- 1 teaspoon
• Red chilly powder- 2 tablespoons
• Coriander powder- 3 tablespoons
• Pav bhaji masala powder- 3 tablespoons
• Salt as needed
• Lime juice- 2 tablespoons

How to Prepare:

Bhaji preparation:

Step 1: Boil all the chopped vegetables till cooked . Mash it with a potato masher and keep aside.

Step 2: Grind together the green chillies, 1/2 cup coriander leaves, ginger garlic paste and cumin seeds. 

Heat little oil in a wide pan and saute the ground paste in the oil till its raw smell leaves.

Step 3: Add the chopped onions and saute till it turns light brown. Add the finely chopped tomatoes and mix well. (You can add tomato puree also).Add all the masala powders and salt and stir well. 

Step 4: Add the tomatoes and masala powders and saute well.

Step 5: Add the cooked vegetable and stir well to mix with the gravy. Cover with lid and let the gravy thicken.

Step 6: Switch off flame. Sprinkle some lime juice on the gravy. Garnish with coriander leaves and finely chopped onions .

Pav preparation

Step 7: Heat non stick griddle /tawa. Meanwhile smear some butter in the white part of each bun slice . Sprinkle some pav bhaji masala on it and heat it on both sides till it turns brown and crisp.

Step 8 : Serve the crispy pav with hot bhaji topped with onions and cilantro.