Pav Bhaji - Mumbai’s Famous Street Style
Pav Bhaji is a popular Indian street food snack featuring a spicy, mashed vegetable curry (bhaji) served with buttered pav buns. This flavorful, comforting dish is enjoyed as a quick snack or meal, loved for its bold spices and buttery richness.
Ingredients
For Bhaji
- 2 medium-sized potatoes (boiled and mashed)
- ½ cup cauliflower florets
- ½ cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
- ½ green bell pepper (chopped)
- 2 large tomatoes (finely chopped)
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 1 green chili (slit)
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1½ tablespoon Pav Bhaji masala
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 tablespoons butter (more for serving)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing
- Lemon wedges and finely chopped onions for serving
For Pav
- 4 pav buns
- 2 tablespoons Butter for toasting
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare and Boil the Vegetables
- Boil the potatoes, cauliflower, green peas, and bell pepper in water until soft and tender. Drain the water and mash the vegetables together until smooth. Set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Bhaji
- Heat 1 tbsp oil and 1 tbsp butter in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and allow them to crackle.
- Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
- Add the ginger-garlic paste and slit green chili. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the raw smell disappears.
- Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and start releasing oil.
- Stir in turmeric powder, red chili powder, and Pav Bhaji masala. Mix well and let the spices cook for a minute.
- Add the mashed vegetables to the pan and mix thoroughly with the spice base. Add salt to taste.
- Adjust the consistency by adding a little water if needed. Let the bhaji simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking.
Step 3: Toast the Pav
- While the bhaji simmers, heat a tawa or flat pan. Add butter and toast the pav buns until golden and crispy on both sides.
Step 4: Serve Hot
- Once the bhaji is cooked, add 1 tbsp of butter on top, and garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
- Serve the bhaji hot with butter-toasted pav, chopped onions, and lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- Use fresh butter for a richer, more authentic taste.
- Mash the vegetables well to achieve a smooth consistency, as this gives the bhaji its signature texture.
- Adjust the spice level to your taste by adding more or less Pav Bhaji masala or chili powder.
- For an extra indulgent version, you can top the bhaji with a dollop of butter before serving!