Pav bhaji

paav bhaji

pav bhaji is a very famous yet staple food of Mumbai, India  i remember I went Mumbai once and the only food I was eating only vada pav and pav bhaji because streets of Delhi can match the vibe with streets of Mumbai with the filled aroma of vada pav and pav bhaji

Full Written recipe for Pav Bhaji

Prep time: 30-35 minutes
Cooking time: 30-35 minutes
Serves: 7-8 people

Pav bhaji masala
Ingredients:
● Coriander seeds 5 tbsp
● Cumin seeds 3 tbsp
● Cloves 20-22 nos.
● Star anise 4-5 nos.
● Black cardamom 5-6 nos.
● Cinnamon 3-4 sticks
● Bay leaf 4-5 nos.
● Kashmiri red chillies 20-25 nos.
● Fennel seeds 3 tbsp
● Kasuri methi 2 tbsp
● Turmeric powder ½ tsp
● Dry ginger powder ½ tsp
● Hing 1 tsp
● Kaala namak 1 tsp
● Aamchur powder 1 tbsp
● Salt 1 tbsp

Pre prep
Ingredients
Red chilli paste:
● Kashmiri red chillies 15-20 nos. (deseeded & soaked)
● Water as required
Garlic paste:
● Garlic cloves 3/4th cup
● Water as required
Boiling veggies:
● Boiling water
● Phool gobhi 1 medium-sized
● Hare matar 3/4th cup
● A pinch of haldi powder
● A pinch of salt
Method:
● For red chilli paste, transfer the soaked kashmiri red chillies in a mixer grinder, add water as required & grind in a fine & runny paste.
● For garlic paste, transfer the garlic cloves in a mixer grinder, add water as required & grind in a fine & runny paste. The consistency should be watery.
● For boiling the vegetables, set water for boiling in a stock pot, add the veggies, haldi & salt, boil and cover until it turns soft & is cooked. Once its cooked strain the water & keep aside.

Base bhaji
Ingredients:
● Butter 50 gm + oil 2 tbsp
● Jeera seeds 2 tsp
● Onions 2-3 medium size (chopped)
● Capsicum 2 medium size (chopped)
● Potatoes 7-8 medium size (boiled & mashed)
● Tomatoes 7-8 medium size (chopped)
● Boiled green peas
● Boiled cauliflower florets
● Beetroot 1 medium size (boiled & grated)
● Fresh coriander a handful (chopped)
● Salt to taste
● Prepared pav bhaji masala 2 tbsp
● Kashmiri red chilli 1 tsp
● Dhaniya powder 1 tbsp
● Haldi powder ½ tsp
● Kasuri methi 1 tsp
● Green chilli paste (paste of 2 green chillies)
● Prepared garlic paste 7-8 tbsp
● Prepared red chilli paste 7-8 tbsp
● Hot water as required
For tadka:
● Butter 50 grams
● A pinch of jeera seeds
● Prepared red chilli paste 4-5 tbsp
● Garlic paste/water 2-3 tbsp
● Pav bhaji masala 1 tsp
● A pinch of garam masala
● Salt to taste
● Freshly chopped coriander leaves
● Butter as per your preference
● Lemon juice 1 tsp
Method:
● Set a big size tawa on medium high heat, add butter & oil, further add jeera & allow it to crackle, add onions and cook until they turn pinkish in colour.
● Further add capsicum and cook on high flame for 2-3 minutes.
● Further add the boiled & chopped veggies, salt, prepared pav bhaji masala, powdered spices & green chilli paste, mix it really well & try to break down the veggie chunks with the spatula.
● Further add prepared garlic and chilli paste, mix well and initially add 1-2 cups of hot water, now use a pav bhaji masher and start to mash the bhaji really well, keep the flame low and mash until the bhaji is almost crushed.
● You can adjust the consistency of the bhaji by adding additional hot water, i like the consistency of my pav bhaji to be little thin just like the street vendors do, you can adjust the consistency of the bhaji as per your preference. The whole process of cooking will take about 15-20 minutes.
● The base of the bhaji is ready, let the bhaji simmer on low flame by the time you can make the tadka that needs to go on the bhaji.
● For tadka, set a pan on medium heat, add butter, jeera, prepared red chilli paste & garlic paste, pav bhaji masala and garam masala, cook on medium-high flame for 1-2 minutes, further add the tadka into the bhaji & mix well.
● Check for the seasoning and adjust the salt as per taste.
● Further add freshly chopped coriander leaves, butter and lemon juice, mix well and cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes, your bhaji is ready to be served with a nice soft buttery pav.