Pav Bhaji Recipe By Chef Team ZZ

Pav bhaji is a popular street food from Mumbai that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a delicious combination of mashed vegetables cooked in a flavourful tomato-based sauce, served with soft pav(Indian bread rolls). 

Table of content

1. About pav bhaji
2. Ingredients
3. Preparation
4. How to make pav bhaji
5. Pro tips
6. Quick recap

About Pav Bhaji

The origin of pav bhaji is not well documented, so it is difficult to say who exactly 'invented' the dish. However, it is believed to have originated in the 1850s in the city of Mumbai, India. As a quick and filling meal for textile mill workers during their lunch break. At the time, Mumbai was a major centre for textile production and mill workers were often too busy and exhausted to cook a full meal during their lunch break. As a solution, street vendors began to create a dish that was fast and easy to prepare, yet still filling and satisfying.
The key ingredient in pav bhaji is the bhaji, which is made by boiling and mashing a variety of vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, peas, and bell peppers. Spices such as turmeric, cumin, and coriander are added to the bhaji to give it a unique and delicious flavour. The bhaji is then served with soft pav, which is lightly toasted and buttered before serving.
One of the unique features of pav bhaji is its versatility. Many street vendors offer variations of the dish, such as cheese pav bhaji, paneer pav bhaji, and even chocolate pav bhaji. The dish is also a popular choice for vegetarians, as it is a tasty and filling meal that is high in nutrients.
Pav bhaji is often served with chopped onions, lemon wedges, and coriander leaves as garnishes, which adds an extra layer of flavour and texture to the dish. It is also typically served with a side of chopped onions, which are usually mixed with the bhaji before eating. This is a street food that is perfect for a quick snack or a satisfying meal and people who visit Mumbai should definitely try it.

Ingredients For Pav Bhaji Recipe

1. 2 Tbsp Butter
2. 1 tbsp oil
3. 1 Tsp Ginger garlic paste
4. ½  cup chopped onion 
5. ¼ cup chopped green capsicum
6. 2 cups chopped tomatoes
7. 2 tbsp red chilli paste
8. 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder 
9. 1 tsp Coriander powder
10. ¼ tsp turmeric powder 
11. 1 ½ tbsp Pav bhaji masala 
12. 2 ½ cups boiled and mashed potatoes
13. ¼ cup boiled green peas
14. ½ cup boiled cauliflower florets
15. 1 tbsp boiled and pureed beetroot
16. Water as required
17. Salt to taste 
18. 1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves

For Pav

1. 2 Ladi pav 
2. 1 tbsp butter
3. 1 tsp pav bhaji
4. ½ tsp Red chilli powder
5. 1 tsp coriander leaves

For Serving

1. Onion
2. Lemon

How To Make Pav Bhaji

1. Heat oil or butter and add onion and saute.
2. Add ginger garlic paste and saute for 2-3 minutes
3. Add green capsicum and cook for 2 minutes
4. Add tomato and cook until it becomes soft and mushy.
5. Add chilli paste and cook for 2-3 minutes
6. Add powdered spices and saute it for 1-2 minutes.
7. Add veggies, salt  and mix well
8. Add water and cook for 4-5 minutes.
9. Sprinkle coriander leaves and mix well
10. Melt butter, sprinkle pav bhaji masala, chilli powder and saute it,
11. add coriander and mix well.
12. Toss the pav and remove
13. Serve pav bhaji along with onion and lemon

Pro Tips For Making Pav Bhaji

1. Use good quality vegetables: The quality of the vegetables you use will greatly affect the taste of your dish, so be sure to use fresh and high-quality vegetables.
2. Cook the vegetables properly: Cook the vegetables properly by sautéing them on medium heat until they are soft and mushy. This will help to release the flavours of the vegetables.
3. Use a good quality pav bhaji masala: Use a good quality pav bhaji masala to make sure your dish has the right flavour profile.
4. Use butter: Adding butter while cooking the pav bhaji is a traditional way to make it more flavorful.
5. Mash the vegetables well: Mash the vegetables well so that they are smooth and creamy, this will give the dish its signature texture.
6. Cook the bhaji on medium heat: Cook the bhaji on medium heat, stirring occasionally to make sure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
7. Serve with pav: Pav bhaji is traditionally served with pav, so be sure to serve the bhaji with warm pav buns.
8. Garnish with chopped onions, cilantro and lemon: Garnish the dish with chopped onions, cilantro and lemon for added flavour and visual appeal.

Quick Recap Of Pav Bhaji Recipe

How to make Pav Bhaji

1. Heat oil and butter, add onion and saute. Add ginger garlic paste and saute for 2-3 minutes.
2. Add green capsicum and cook for 2 minutes.
3. Add tomato and cook until it becomes soft and mushy. Add chilli paste and cook for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add powdered spices and saute it for 1-2 minutes. Add veggies, salt and mix well.
5. Add water and cook for 4-5 minutes. Sprinkle coriander leaves and mix well.
6. Melt butter, sprinkle pav bhaji masala, and chilli powder and saute it, add coriander and mix well. Toss the pav and remove.
7. Serve pav bhaji along with onion and lemon.