Pav-Bhaji

                                  
Well there is nothing much to say about pav bhaji, being one of the most prefered and popular foods around major cities in India. More info can be collected at www.wikipedia.org just search pav bhaji and you'll end up reading everything about it. I haven't heard any Indian saying they don't like pav bhaji... it is the beloved street food of western region of India especially Gujarat, Maharashtra and its popularity reaching as far as Himalayas, yes, I have seen people flocking at pav-bhaji stalls in Nainital too, which is a beautiful hillstation situated in Uttarakhand, India (north-east of India).

The version of pav bhaji that I'm posting today is very much similar to what the vendor of pav bhaji stall makes at his road side eatery, street food totally street side style. So without further wasting our precious time I shall jot down the recipe and post some yummy snaps for all of you to drivel on. :) Enjoy.

      Close up of Bhaji - Sorry P you have to wait a few minutes those were my words while clicking this snap.

On a flat bottom pan add a little water, about 1/2 a cup and add  
1/2 cup chopped Capsicum, I added combination of red and green capsicum.

Let it sizzle for about 2 minutes or till the capsicum is tender then add in  
1 to 1&1/2 cup of chopped Tomatoes, P prefers less tangy food so had added only 1 cup of  chopped tomatoes so adjust according to you taste, also add in
2 tbs of ginger-garlic paste,  
3 tbs of chopped coriander leaves/cilantro leaves 
1/2 tsp kasuri methi/dried fenugreek leaves
1/2 tsp turmeric,  
1 tbs red chili powder,  
1&1/2 tbs of pav bhaji masala,  
1/4 tsp of hing/asafoetida
1 tbs of lemon juice and  
2 tbs of butter. Let it cook for another 2 minutes or till the raw smell of garlic is gone. (you can start mashing this mixture at this stage or later whatever you prefer)

Now add
2 more tbs of butter
2 cups of boiled and partially mashed potatoes and  
1 cup of boiled and partially mashed veggie combination including cabbage, green peas, cauliflower and bottlegourd.
Add salt to taste and get busy mashing up the mixture with the help of pav-bhaji crusher or something like potato masher. Crushing it enough so as to make non of the veggies recognizable.... hope I'm explaining it good enough but the pictures can back up what I mean to say.

Now adjust the water, salt and spicies and I'm sure you'll have to add some of them (add a bit red chili if you don't feel it to be hot enough or add a bit of pav bhaji masala is you feel that flavour is bit less). 

This dish tastes better if its a bit liquidy, not to soupy but not too firm also, a bit more of curry consistency.
Let it simmer for about 3-4 minutes and turn off the heat.

Serve it hot with butter toasted pav/buns, for me it was home-made ladi pav get the recipe here ; chopped & mixed onion-cilantro; blob of butter and a wedge of lemon.

               Bhaji served with home-made pav and chopped onion-cilantro mix, DH still waiting for his dish. :)


You all might be thinking that I forgot to put onions in bhaji recipe... but that isn't the case.... the fact is pav bhaji itself doesn't have onions and it tastes best raw on side. Adding onion while cooking bhaji gives it a typical taste which is a big no-no for pav bhaji. But if you prefer, go on and add some... :)