I am a huge fan of Mumbai street food. Since I started living in Florida, I miss Mumbai; especially the yummy food. Pav Bhaji is a one pot meal, invented in early 19th century; as an alternative to a full fledged lunch for factory/mill workers. It is a great choice for parties and potlucks.
In restaurants or stalls, it is prepared on a big flat griddle (tawa). It is easy to make at home too. My mom used to make it on special occasions. The aroma of freshly made bhaji and Amul butter roasted pav used to fill the house. Dad would get a bottle of Pepsi and ice cream for dessert. Whenever I make pav bhaji here, I miss all those lovely moments.
Check out my other snack recipes with pav such as Kacchi Dabeli, Misal and Vada Pav.
Bhaji is a Marathi word for vegetable. The usual vegetables which go in Pav Bhaji are tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers and peas(fresh or frozen) but it can also be made with veggies such as cauliflower, carrots and cabbage (Best way to make kids eat veggies). Pav means bread. Bhaji can be eaten with any kind of buns, breads, dinner rolls, water rolls etc.; the best being fresh, soft and tasty ‘Laadi Pav‘ one can get in Mumbai’s Bakeries.
This is my take on Mumbai’s Roadside Pav Bhaji :
Pav Bhaji is a spicy mix of vegetables garnished with coriander leaves and served with onions, lemon wedges, a dollop of butter and roasted pav.
- 4 Potatoes medium, peeled and chopped
- 1+1/2 Onions medium, finely chopped
- 6 Tomatoes finely chopped
- 1/2 Green Bell Pepper chopped
- 1/2 cup Green Peas fresh or frozen
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 8 Red Chilies deseeded
- 2 Green Chillies optional
- 5 cloves Garlic peeled
- 4 tbsp Pav Bhaji Masala
- 4 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- 4+1 tbsp Amul Butter
- 4-5 tbsp Oil
- Coriander Leaves chopped for garnishing
- Salt
- 1 Lemon
-
Chop potatoes and capsicum into square pieces. In a pressure cooker, add chopped potatoes, capsicum, peas, salt and sufficient water. Cook for 4 whistles.
-
Soak red chilies in hot water and keep aside. Also finely chop onion and tomatoes.
-
Once pressure goes down, take out the water from the pressure cooker in a bowl and mash the vegetables. The water is our vegetable broth.
-
After 20 mins, add soaked red chilies, garlic cloves and green chillies to a blender jar and grind to a smooth paste.
-
In a pan, heat 4 tbsp oil + 1 tbsp butter. Add cumin and saute for a minute. Now add freshly ground red chilly paste and saute on a medium flame for 2 mins. Add finely chopped onions. Saute and cook for 4-5 mins.
-
Once onions are cooked, add finely chopped tomatoes and salt. Cook well for another 8-10 mins. Add red chilli powder and pav bhaji masala. Mix and mash well.
-
Now add the mashed vegetables to the pan. If required add little broth and salt. Mix well and simmer on low flame for 8-10 mins.
-
Slit the pav and apply butter. Sprinkle some pav bhaji masala. Roast the pav on the griddle just before serving.
-
Garnish the bhaji with coriander leaves and a dollop of butter. Serve hot with onions, lemon and roasted pav. Enjoy 🙂
- Make sure the butter is at room temperature.
- I use Everest Pav Bhaji Masala. You can use whichever brand you like.
- Peas can be used fresh or frozen. If using frozen peas, soak them in hot water before cooking.
Step by Step Recipe of Pav Bhaji :
- We need below ingredients for this recipe.
- Chop potatoes and capsicum into square pieces. Pressure cook peas, potatoes and capsicum with sufficient water and salt for 4 whistles. Once pressure goes down, separate water and mash the vegetables. The water (broth) will be later used to adjust consistency of bhaji.
- In a deep pan, add 4 tbsp oil + 1 tbsp butter. Once hot, add chilli garlic chutney and saute. Add finely chopped onions and cook for a bit.
- Once onions are cooked, add finely chopped tomatoes and salt. Cook for 7-8 mins, then add chilly powder, salt and Pav Bhaji Masala. Cook for 2-3 mins and Mash.
- Now add mashed vegetables and mix well. Adjust the consistency by adding broth. Simmer on low flame with pot covered. Garnish with coriander leaves.
- Serve hot with dollop of butter, onions, lemon wedge and roasted pav (bread).
Make this yummy Pav Bhaji today and don’t forget to share the pictures and feedback 🙂
Yummy…. pav-bhaji !! next time I`ll follow this method !!
Thank you so much!! Hope you like it 🙂
Pav kuthe milale!?? 🙂
These are ‘Water Rolls’ from Publix.
Please help me with the ingredients for Pav bhaji masala. Thanks for your time and recipe.
Hi Joaquim,
I use store bought, ‘Everest Pav bhaji Masala’. You can get this masala from any Indian store. Hope this helps.