Pav Bhaji (Mumbai Street Food Spiced Mashed Vegetable Curry with Bread)
Pav bhaji is a street-food staple born on the pavements of Mumbai. A medley of boiled potatoes, cauliflower, peas, and carrots is mashed together on a hot griddle, then cooked down with generous amounts of butter and a proprietary spice blend called pav bhaji masala. Tomatoes and onions form the aromatic base, while the masala contributes warm, earthy heat that deepens with each pass of the spatula. The accompanying soft bread rolls are split and toasted on a buttered griddle until golden on the cut side. Raw onion rings, a wedge of lemon, and a knob of extra butter placed on top of the simmering bhaji are the traditional garnish. The dish is designed to be eaten fast and hot, scooped directly from the communal pan.
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Instructions
- 1
Boil potato, cauliflower, and peas until very tender.
- 2
Melt butter in a pan and sauté chopped onion until sweet and soft.
- 3
Add chopped tomato and pav bhaji masala; cook to a rich base.
- 4
Add boiled vegetables and mash while mixing into a thick bhaji.
- 5
Toast bread rolls with butter and serve hot with bhaji.
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Nutrition (per serving)
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