Pav Bhaji

This dish is especially visible in the great city of Mumbai- Maharashtra. Pav Bhaji is a wholesome dish which can work as a substitute for a full meal. When I am not in a mood to cook a complete meal for my family, pav bhaji in one of the dishes which comes to my mind. This is really an innovation that arose out of the necessity of providing a nice hot meal in a hurry and one that tickles the taste buds. A spicy blend of vegetables in tomato gravy served with pav that is cooked with butter.

Serves 4.

Ingredients:

For Pav

8 pavs/buns (white bread in square)
5 tbs butter

For Bhaji

1 ½ cups boiled and mashed potatoes

1 cauliflower

½ cup green peas
2 carrots

1 medium sized onion

1 capsicum
3 medium sized tomatoes
½ tsp ginger garlic paste
½ tsp turmeric powder
½ tsp chilli powder
1 ½ tbsp pav bhaji masala

½ tsp black salt

½ tsp lemon juice


Method:

• Finely chop cauliflower, carrots, onion, capsicum and tomatoes.
• Boil chopped cauliflower, carrot and peas till they are soft.
• Drain out the excess water.
• Heat the butter in a wok; add the onion and capsicum and sauté for 2 minutes. Then, add the ginger-garlic paste and stir fry till the onion softens.
• Add the tomatoes and cook till the oil separates.
• Add chilli powder, turmeric powder, black salt ,pav bhaji masala, and salt and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the boiled vegetables, potatoes and lemon juice and squash thoroughly, adding some water if required.
• On the other hand slice each pav into 2 horizontally.
• Apply a little butter to each side.
• Heat a large skillet and cook the pav on both sides till the pieces are lightly browned.
• Sprinkle grated cheese and chopped coriander leaves over bhaaji and serve hot with pav.