Pav Bhaji is a feeling for any Mumbaikar. It is a Jhakaas (झकास) feeling (Mumbaikar slang for epic) and a popular Indian Street food. Street food doesn't get better than this! Pav Bhaji is from the city so close to my heart! The land of dreams, Mumbai (Bombay), Maharashtra. Pav Bhaji is made of mashed mix vegetables, and it served with buttery pav, which means buns. Bhaji means mixed vegetables. Together it becomes Pav Bhaji -- origins are in the state of Maharashtra.
When and how Pavbhaji invented is not concrete, but after going into the little history behind it, I came to know - It was first made around the 18th century. When textile mills were around, people had short lunch breaks. Because of this, cafeterias started serving bhaji with pav(buns). And workers could get back to work in a shorter time.
How ironic it feels when PavBhaji goes across textile mills cafeterias, to all over India as a street food, to national and international restaurants. PavBhaji is a celebration, including up to today. Homemade PavBhaji is for a special occasion.
Bhaji is a mix of perfectly spiced mixed veggies.
Pav is unsweetened dinner rolls (close to water buns) -- it has some Portuguese touch as well as in the recipe since pav comes in India with Portuguese. Earlier it used to be called Portuguese bread too. Till today some people call it Double Roti.
Here I am sharing a pav bhaji recipe which I have been eating from my childhood. It is a couple of decades old that I have learned from my Mom.
Ingredients:
Potatoes: 3 medium (Big)
Peas: 1 cup
Cauliflower: ½ cup (chopped)
Bell pepper: 3/4 cup (chopped)
Tomatoes: 2 cups (puree)
Onions: 1 cup (fine chopped)
Garlic: 2 Tsp (chopped)
Ginger: 1 Tsp (chopped)
Salt: 2 Tsp (according to your taste)
Oil: 3 Tsp
Pav Bhaji Masala: 1 Tsp (or Garam Masala)
Turmeric powder: 1 Tsp
Chilli powder: 1 Tsp
Coriander powder: 1 Tsp
Cilantro: 2 Tsp (chopped)
lemon or Lime : 2 Tsp
First peel and dice cut potatoes.
Chop cauliflower and mix peas with it and boil all vegetables or pressure cook it.
Once it’s boiled, mash it with a potato masher. Now keep it on the side.
Keep the stove on medium heat, and on a big skillet. Add oil, once it heats up.
Add Garlic and Ginger and cook for 2 min.
Add fine chopped Onions, add some salt, and cook it till it’s golden brown.
Add Tomato puree and mix all spices and add the rest of the salt in it.
Cook for about 5-7 min or till you see oil getting separated.
Now add chopped bell peppers and cook for 5 min on medium heat .
Add boiled, mashed vegetables and mix it all together -- keep heat on medium to low.
Add one cup of water and mix it well. Let it simmer for a few min. close the lid for few min.
Add cilantro and lime and enjoy it with buns and lots of butter.
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