Pav Bhaji is a popular street food in India that originated in the state of Maharashtra. It is a flavorful and spicy vegetable curry that is served with soft buttery bread rolls called Pav. This dish is perfect for any occasion and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. In this blog post, we will share a detailed recipe for making Pav Bhaji at home along with some tips and tricks.

Pav Bhaji Origin:

Pav Bhaji was first invented in Mumbai, India, in the 1850s as a quick lunchtime meal for textile mill workers. The dish was made with leftover vegetables and spices, mashed together, and served with soft bread rolls called Pav. Since then, Pav Bhaji has become a popular street food in Mumbai and all over India.

Pav Bhaji Recipe

Here’s a step-by-step recipe for making delicious Pav Bhaji at home.

Ingredients:

• 3 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup green peas
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 large tomatoes, chopped
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-inch ginger, grated
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 tbsp oil (Use Cold Pressed Groundnut Oil)
• 1 tbsp butter
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp red chili powder (use Mathania Chili Powder for better taste)
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp pav bhaji masala
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Chopped coriander leaves for garnish

For serving:

• 8 pav buns
• Butter

Instructions:

1. Boil the potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, and green peas in a pressure cooker with enough water until they are soft and tender.
2. Drain the water and mash the vegetables with a potato masher or fork. Set aside.
3. Heat oil and butter in a pan and add the chopped onions. Saute until they are soft and translucent.
4. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped green chilies. Saute for a minute.
5. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they turn soft and mushy.
6. Add the salt, red chili powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and pav bhaji masala. Mix well and cook for a minute.
7. Add the mashed vegetables to the pan and mix well. Add a little water if the mixture is too thick.
8. Cook for 10-15 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally.
9. Add the lemon juice and mix well. Turn off the heat.
10. Heat the pav buns on a griddle or tawa with a little butter until they are lightly toasted and golden brown.
11. Serve the hot Pav Bhaji with the buttered buns and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

Pav Bhaji Masala Recipe:

If you don’t have Pav Bhaji masala on hand, you can make your own at home. Here’s a recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 tsp black peppercorns
• 1 tsp cloves
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2-3 dry red chilies
• 1 tsp dry mango powder (amchur)

Instructions:

1. Dry roast all the spices except for the dry mango powder on a low flame until they are lightly browned and fragrant.
2. Cool the spices and grind them to a fine powder in a blender or spice grinder.
3. Mix in the dry mango powder.
4. Store the Pav Bhaji masala in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Pav Bhaji Instant Pot:

If you have an Instant Pot, you can use it to make Pav Bhaji quickly and easily. Follow these steps:

1. Turn on the Instant Pot and select the sauté function.
2. Add butter and cumin seeds to the pot.
3. When the cumin seeds start to crackle, add chopped onions and green chilies.
4. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until the onions turn translucent.
5. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another minute.
6. Add chopped tomatoes, cauliflower florets, and green peas to the pot.
7. Add Pav Bhaji Masala, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt to taste.
8. Add 1 cup of water and mix well.
9. Close the lid of the Instant Pot and select the manual pressure cook mode for 8 minutes.
10. Once the pressure is released naturally, open the lid of the Instant Pot and mash the vegetables with a masher.
11. Sauté for another 2-3 minutes or until the Pav Bhaji reaches the desired consistency.
12. Serve hot with buttered Pav bread rolls and lemon wedges.

Pav Bhaji Calories:

The calorie count of Pav Bhaji can vary depending on the ingredients and the portion size. Here’s a general calorie breakdown for a serving of Pav Bhaji (approx. 1 cup of bhaji and 2 pav buns):

• Calories: 400-500 calories
• Fat: 10-15 grams
• Carbohydrates: 60-70 grams
• Protein: 10-12 grams

It’s important to note that the calorie count can increase if you use more butter or oil in the recipe or if you eat larger portions. To reduce the calorie count, you can use less butter or oil and reduce the amount of pav buns you eat.

Pav Bhaji Tips & Tricks:

• You can adjust the spice level to your taste by adding or reducing the amount of chili powder and green chilies.
• Adding a little sugar can help balance the flavors and cut through the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Make sure to mash the vegetables well to get a smooth and creamy texture.
• Using a combination of oil and butter gives a rich and flavorful taste to the dish.
• Toasting the pav buns with butter enhances the taste and adds a crispy texture.
• You can garnish the Pav Bhaji with chopped onions, lemon wedges, and more coriander leaves for added flavor and freshness.