pav bhaji recipe|Easy Mumbai street style pav bhaji is a beloved street food dish from Mumbai, India, known for its spicy and flavorful vegetable mash (bhaji) served with buttered bread rolls (pav). It’s a popular snack and meal enjoyed by people of all ages across India and around the world.
In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the origins, ingredients, cooking process, and variations of pav bhaji, along with a step-by-step recipe to make it at home.Pav Bhaji is a popular and flavorful Indian street food, but now cherished across the country and globally. It consists of a spicy and tangy vegetable mash (bhaji) served with buttered and toasted bread rolls (pav). This dish is renowned for its vibrant colors, rich flavors, and comforting appeal, making it a favorite snack or meal for people of all ages.
pav bhaji recipe :-
Key Ingredients
For Pav Bhaji:
- Vegetables:
- Potatoes (aloo), tomatoes (tamatar), green peas (matar), cabbage ( patta gobi), bell peppers (capsicum), carrots (gajar),Onion, bottle gourd (louki),garlic and green chilli. These vegetables form the base of the bhaji and contribute to its chunky texture and rich taste.
- Spices and Masalas:
- Pav Bhaji Masala: A special spice blend essential for pav bhaji, consisting of coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon, fennel seeds, dry mango powder (amchur), and red chili powder. This masala gives pav bhaji its distinctive flavor.
- Turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chili powder (for color and mild heat), garam masala, and salt.
- Other Ingredients:
- Butter: Used generously for cooking the vegetables and toasting the pav, adding richness and flavor.
- Onions, garlic, ginger, and green chilies: Aromatic ingredients that form the flavorful base of the bhaji.
- Fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves for garnish.
- Pav (Buttered Bread Rolls):
- Soft dinner rolls (pav), sliced horizontally and toasted with butter. The buttered pav complements the spicy bhaji perfectly.
Cooking Technique
Step-by-Step Recipe for Pav Bhaji:
Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 40 minutes Total Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
for pav bhaji:
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled cut in 2-3 pieces
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup cabbage
- 1/2 cup bottle gourad (louki)
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers (capsicum)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped carrots
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece ginger, grated
- 2-3 green chilies, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons pav bhaji masala
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- 4 tablespoons butter
- Fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves for garnish
- 8 pav (dinner rolls), sliced horizontally
- Butter for toasting pav
Instructions:
- Cooking Vegetables:
- In a pressure cooker,take 2-3 tablespoons of oil, heat it,then add a little cumin seeds and a table spoon of pav bhaji masala.next, add the chopped or raw potatoes,tomatoes, onion,garlic, cabbage,bottle gourd(louki) green peas,and carrots.and pinch of turmaric, and salt and 2 sips of water and close the lid of the cookar…take 5-6 whistles of the pressure cooker until they are soft.set aside
- Preparing Bhaji:
- In a deep skillet or kadhai, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent.
- grated ginger, and chopped green chilies. Sauté for another minute until the raw smell disappears.
- Adding Tomatoes and Spices:
- Add finely chopped tomatoes to the skillet. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and mashed.
- Stir in pav bhaji masala, turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, and garam masala. Mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes until the spices are fragrant and well combined.
- Mashing Vegetables:
- Add the boiled vegetables to the skillet. Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to mash the vegetables until they form a coarse, chunky mixture.
- Mix thoroughly to ensure the spices and vegetables are well combined.
- Simmering and Adjusting Consistency:
- Add 1-2 cups of water to achieve the desired consistency. Pav bhaji is typically semi-thick, so adjust the amount of water accordingly.
- Season with salt to taste. Simmer the bhaji on low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps blend the flavors together.
- Adding Butter and Garnishing:
- Once the bhaji is cooked to perfection, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and mix well. This enhances the richness and flavor of the dish.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro leaves.
- Toasting Pav:
- While the bhaji is simmering, heat a griddle or tava (flat skillet) over medium heat. Spread butter on the sliced pav rolls and toast them until golden brown on both sides.
- Serving:
- Serve hot pav bhaji garnished with a dollop of butter, chopped onions, and a wedge of lemon. Accompany with the buttered pav rolls on the side.
Variations and Tips
- Cheese Pav Bhaji: Sprinkle grated cheese over the hot bhaji just before serving for extra richness.
- Healthy Option: Reduce the amount of butter and substitute with olive oil for a healthier version.
- Spicy Preference: Adjust the amount of green chilies or red chili powder according to your spice tolerance.
- Vegetable Variation: Customize by adding or substituting vegetables based on availability and preference.
Pav Bhaji is not just a dish; it’s an experience that captures the essence of Indian street food. Its spicy, hearty flavors combined with buttery pav make it a favorite among people from all walks of life. Whether you enjoy it on the streets of Mumbai or recreate it at home, pav bhaji promises to delight your taste buds and transport you to the vibrant streets of India. With this comprehensive guide and easy-to-follow recipe, you can now savor the taste of pav bhaji wherever you are.
Origins and Cultural Significance of pav bhaji
Pav Bhaji originated in Mumbai, particularly as a convenient and filling meal for textile mill workers in the late 19th century. Over time, it evolved into a staple street food that reflects the city’s vibrant culinary culture. Today, pav bhaji is not only a street food favorite but also a comfort food enjoyed in homes and restaurants across India.this pav bhaji recipe is a loved by everyone.
The dish embodies Mumbai’s cosmopolitan spirit by blending various regional Indian flavors into a harmonious and satisfying dish. Its popularity has spread globally, making it a recognizable symbol of Indian street food.pav bhaji is loved by everyone.
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