Pav Bhaji -- a Finger Licking treat ..

Just the mention of Pav bhaji brings to mind rows and rows of roadside Pav Bhaji vendors, the mouth watering aroma of spicy bhaji and buttered Pav...hmmmmm.....ok back to reality! :)

Pav Bhaji (also transliterated as pao bhaji and pau bhaji) is a fast food dish native to Maharashtra and popular in most metros in India. In Marathi pav means bread (the term derives from the Portuguese "pão") and bhaji means a curry and vegetable mix. The serving of pav bhaji consists of the bhaji (a potato based curry) and the pav (bread) garnished with coriander and chopped onions. Pav is a meat-less dish, which is high in carbohydrates and fats (if served with butter) and bhaji is high in carbohydrates and proteins.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Pav Bhaji is a finger licking evening snack or full meal by itself. Not only is it fulfilling but a hot favourite too! When I first came here I had a hard time finding “Pav” and had to make do with good ol’ buns but later found “pavs” which are called Dinner Rolls here. Yesterday when I went to buy Pav/Dinner Rolls, unfortunately the store I went to were out of it so had to make do with the buns again! They taste just as good so no regrets :)

You will need:

½ cup finely chopped Carrots

½ cup finely chopped Green beans

½ cup Green peas

½ cup finely chopped Cabbage

½ cup finely chopped Green Bell peppers

1 large Potato boiled

2 Tomatoes chopped

1 Onion finely chopped

1 ½ tbsps Pav Bhaji Masala powder

1 tsp Red chilli powder (optional)

Salt to taste

Butter

Chopped Corriander

1 tbsp Lime juice or lime pieces

Boil the carrots, green beans, peas, cabbage and bell peppers. Heat 2 tbsps of Butter in a skillet and add the chopped onions. Sauté till onions are soft and completely done. Add the chopped tomatoes, pav bhaji masala and chilli powder. Sauté till tomatoes are soft. Now add the boiled veggies(including potato), salt and ½ cup water. Mash with the help of a potato masher and blend all ingredients well. Bring to a simmering boil. Add more water if required. Garnish with chopped coriander. Serve hot with pav.

Butter the buns and toast them on a pan. Serve these alongside hot bhaji, drizzled with lime juice or along with lemon pieces. Also garnish with additional chopped onions.

It sure was finger licking good!! :)