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Pav Bhaji recipe

Classic Pav Bhaji

Print Recipe
The only recipe that can take me home to India.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Keyword recipes

Ingredients

For Bhaji:

  • ¾ cup chopped green beans
  • 3 large fresh tomatoes chopped
  • 1 broccoli stalk chopped
  • 1 cup chopped ash gourd (also known as winter melon) or pumpkin
  • 4 large potatoes peeled and chopped
  • 1 cauliflower head chopped
  • 2 carrots chopped
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 medium sized onion chopped
  • ¾ cup boiled peas
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp crushed/grated garlic
  • 3 tbsp pav bhaji masala- can be purchased at any Indian food store

For Pav:

  • 2-3 tbsp butter 1 tbsp for each batch
  • 8 bread rolls dinner rolls and buns work nicely, but you can use regular sliced bread

Instructions

  • Place all the vegetables except peas, garlic and onions in a pressure cooker. Add the turmeric and salt, and cook for around 20 minutes or until everything is cooked through.
  • Once the vegetables are cooked, mash them not too finely- you still want a couple chunks.
  • In a saucepan, combine the butter and oil. Once the butter is bubbly, add the garlic and sauté slightly until the garlic becomes golden brown.
  • Add the chopped onion and cook till translucent.
  • Add in the masala, cook till it is incorporated fully, and then add in the vegetable mash. Stir everything together, then garnish with lemon slices, chopped onions, grated radish and/or paneer (Indian cottage cheese).
  • For the pav, melt 1 tbsp of butter in a pan. Cut the bun/ roll in half, horizontally and gently rub both sides in the butter- basically, fry the bread in the butter. 1 tbsp is enough for 4 halves- do it all at once. Flip the bread and press it down with the back of a spatula every once in a while until both sides develop a golden brown color and are slightly toasted. Serve warm with Bhaji.

Notes

IF YOU DON’T HAVE A PRESSURE COOKER:
 
Replace this with step 1:
In a large pot, heat a little oil. Add all the veggies one by one, except peas, onions and garlic. Add 2 cups of water. Cover the pot and boil until they are cooked through, stirring every now and then. This may take a while.