PAV BHAJI.....THE INDIAN STREET FOOD

Chatting early in the morning with my friend of more than 30 years, I just got transported into those carefree days of collegehood when money was always scarce and every once in a while we had to go shopping for our fabric or dyes or embroidery threads and so on and we would come across this street vendor selling his exotic smelling, mouth watering Pav Bhaji. It had that magnetic, mesmerising quality that could pull you and the money out of your wallet towards it and soon you would find this piping hot street food in your hands.

Pav Bhaji -- An Indian Street Food.


pav bhaji



This has to be eaten on the street hot off the griddle with a lot of butter, freshly chopped onions, lemon juice drizzled and lots of coriander leaves chopped and sprinkled on it.

The bread buns have to be loaded with butter and toasted on the griddle preferably taking in some of the tastes of the mixed vegetable preparation that is on the griddle.

Indian street food just like any other street food is oozing with taste. It is fast to get and fast to go down your gullet as you just gobble it up. This food is never eaten, it is simply gobbled and you've never had enough.





To make it healthy you just need to add less butter but who cares. I'd rather walk up the steps to my home a number of times just to burn the calories.

But this I must have.

This dish is a combination of vegetables we have in the refrigerator almost always.
The Pav Bhaji masala is something I suggest every kitchen must have. It is so flavourful and I add it to a variety of dishes apart from the PAV BHAJI that is was originally created for.
Pav means bread especially the small buns.
Bhaji means the vegetable preparation.
I always find it amazing how new food preparations are created and how they become comfort food.
This one is one of my comfort foods....oh yes I have many.

Here is a way of getting it into your kitchens and making it your comfort food.


PAV BHAJI
Ingredients:
serves 4
.Potato..............................300 gm., finely chopped
.French beans....................100 gm., finely chopped
.Carrot...............................100 gm., finely chopped
.Peas..................................100 gm.
.Green bell pepper...............200 gm., finely chopped
.Eggplant(optional)...............100 gm., finely chopped
.Onion..................................110 gm., finely chopped
.Garlic...................................3 cloves, finely chopped
.Ginger..................................10 gm., grated
.Green chili............................1, finely chopped
.Tomato................................100gm., finely chopped
.Tomato puree.......................4 to 5 Tbsp.
.Pav Bhaji masala...................1 Tbsp.
.Turmeric powder...................1/4th tsp.
.Red chili powder....................1/2 tsp.
.Salt.........................................to taste
.Coriander leaves......................2 Tbsp., finely chopped for garnish
.Onion......................................1 small to medium, finely chopped for garnish
.Lemon juice.............................1 Tbsp.
.Butter.......................................50 gm.
.Oil............................................2 tsp.
.Plain buns/pavs(unsweetened)...4

Method:
.Cut all vegetables as required in the recipe.
.In a pressure cooker add the potato, french beans, carrot and peas with 1/4th cup of water and salt to taste
 and pressure cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Set aside.
.Meanwhile heat 2 tsp. oil in a pan. Add the chopped onions and saute for 2 minutes with a little salt
.Add ginger, green chilies, garlic and saute till onion is cooked.
.Add the chopped egg plant and saute for 5 to 7 minutes.
.Add the pav bhaji masala, red chili powder, turmeric powder and saute for 1 minute.
.Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato puree and further cook for 3 minutes.
.Using a potato masher lightly mash the cooked vegetables in the pressure cooker.
.Add the mashed vegetables to the tomato and onion mixture and mix well.
.Adjust the salt.
.Add 1/2 cup water and cook on a low heat for 8 to 10 minutes.
.Add the chopped bell pepper and mix well.
.Remove from heat and serve hot garnished with a dollop of butter, freshly chopped onions, coriander leaves and drizzle a litlle lemon juice.

To prepare the bread buns
.Cut the buns into half and apply butter. Heat a griddle and put the buns cut side down.
.When lightly toasted approx. 45 seconds flip over and cook for another 30 seconds.
.Serve hot alongside the vegetable preparation.

Note:
.Adding eggplant to this dish gives it a lovely flavour.
.Use only the green bell peppers for this preparartion for the flavour and colour.
.Pav Bhaji masala can be bought in an Indian grocery store, if not, just get it from an Indian friend of yours.
.If pavs are not available just get plain bread slices.