Pav bhaji is a Maharashtrian fast food spicy dish that originated in Mumbai cuisine. It is native to Mumbai and has now become popular in most metropolitan areas in India, especially in those of central and western Indian states such as Gujarat and Karnataka.

     'Pav' means bread. 'Bhaji' in Marathi means vegetable dish. Pav bhaji consists of bhaji (a thick potato-based curry) garnished with chopped onion, and a dash of lemon and lightly toasted pav. The pav is usually buttered on all sides.


INGREDIENTS
Onion, chopped-3 medium size
Tomatoes, chopped-3
Green chillies-2-3
Carrots, chopped-2
Beans, chopped- ½ cup
Cabbage, chopped- 1 cup
Green peas- ¼ cup
Potatoes, boiled - 2 medium
Butter/ Oil- 4 teaspoons
Asafetida- pinch
Ginger garlic paste/ chopped- 2 tablespoon
Capsicum, finely chopped-2
Turmeric powder- ½ teaspoon
Red chilli powder- 1teaspoon
Coriander powder- 2teaspoons
Pav bhaji masala-3teaspoons
Garam masala- 1 teaspoon
Dry mango powder- 1teaspoon (optional)
Cumin powder- ¼ teaspoon
Cloves, cut into two- 3
Salt- to taste
Pav- as required


PROCEDURE
  •  Boil chopped carrot, beans, cabbage, cauliflower(if you use fresh peas add here). Allow to cool the cooked veggies.
  • Boil or pressure cook potatoes till soft and mash well. Chop the capsicum and thaw the peas.
  • Chop onion, ginger, garlic, green chillies and tomatoes. In a pan add oil/butter and add chopped onion cook till translucent pink. Then add capsicum, green chillies and cook for some time. 
  • Then add, ginger garlic paste then tomatoes and cook till tomatoes becomes soft. Add asafetida, turmeric, chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, dry mango powder, garam masla, pav bhaji masala, cut cloves and salt. Mix well and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Pulse these veggies in a blender once or twice (don’t make as paste).
  • Now add the mashed potatoes, peas and cooked vegetables and mix well. Dilute the bhji with water to your desired consistency. I like it little thick you could make it little runny like curry. Allow to cook for 3-5 minutes.
  • Put off the gas and add lemon juice.
  • Cut the pav to middle; In a pan add a teaspoon of butter and toast the pav facing inwards.
  • Serve with chopped coriander, onion, tomato and lemon wedges.