Pav (pronounced as pao) bhaji is a savoury vegetable dish that contains a combination of carrots, florets of cauliflower and peas infused into a tomato based gravy that is braised in butter. This dish is delicately flavoured with Indian spices and is served hot with freshly baked bread rolls. Pav bhaji is a popular street food through India, particularly in Mumbai, and there are several variations on this dish depending on which part of India you visit.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups cauliflower florets
  • 1 carrot, peeled and diced
  • ½ cup peas
  • 1 onion, grated
  • 3  tomatoes, grated
  • 6 mint leaves
  • 1 sprig  spring onions
  • 1 teaspoon oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 dried chilli
  • ½ tablespoon curry powder
  • ¼ teaspoon coriander powder
  • 3ml garam masala
  • 1ml turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoon  ginger and garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon  sugar
  • Pao bhaji mixed masala

Method

  1. Place the peas, cauliflower florets and carrots into a colander. Rinse and thoroughly drain the vegetables.
  2. Steam these vegetables until soft. Place the vegetables into a blender and pulverise to form a pulp. Alternately, the vegetables can also be mashed using a fork.
  3. In a pot heat the oil and butter together. Add in the onions and fry till the onions turn golden brown.
  4. Stir in the chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala, curry powder, pao bhaji masala and turmeric powder.
  5. Add in the ginger and garlic paste and allow the mixture to simmer for 3-5 seconds.
  6. Add in the mashed vegetables and toss till the vegetables are well coated with the spices.
  7. Stir in the freshly diced mint leaves, spring onions, grated tomatoes, salt and sugar.
  8. Cover and cook the curry until the tomatoes have completely infused with the vegetables.
  9. Remove the pao bhaji from the stove top and garnish with freshly chopped coriander.
  10. In a non-stick pan, add a tablespoon of butter. Place bread rolls or buns onto the pan and lightly heat the bread until a crisp crust is formed. Do note, the bread should not be toasted.

Serve the pao bhaji hot with the side accompaniment of bread rolls.