Pav Bhaji

Its been raining cats and dogs out here or should I say horses and bulls!And when its this way, there is an auto response on our taste buds for something v hot and spicy. Dunno how that works out but nature at work and who am I to question that :-)

A North Indian trip is considered incomplete if one doesn't get to taste the wares of those road side stalls brimming with colorful and aromatic chats and pav bhaji. Just memories brings back that 'out-of-the-world' taste. All this rain brought back that need and I knew I had to make them soon.



The recipe is as close as it can get to those from the stalls without the unwanted ingrediants although still a little high on calories. So what! All's fair during rain and storm ;-). It doesnt take a long time to cook and at the same time made a wonderful and filling lunch with the taste trickling down our throats and with rain pouring outside.

Ingredients

• 1 large potato, boiled and mashed slightly
  
  
• 2 cups of mixed boiled vegetables (i used cauliflower,carrots,peas)
  
  
• 1 large onion, chopped
  
  
• 1 1/2 cups of chopped tomatoes
  
  
• 1 cup tomato puree
  
  
• 1 cup sliced capsicum
  
  
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
  
  
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
  
  
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  
  
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
  
  
• 2-3 green chillies, chopped finely ( or as per taste)
  
  
• 2-3 cloves garlic
  
  
• 2 inch of grated ginger ( or simply can use one tsp of ginger garlic paste )
  
  
• 2 tbsp Pav bhaji Masala ( you get this in all indian stores. Its a blend of approx 10 spices like cumin,corainder,cloves,cinnamon,red chilly,black pepper,mango powder,turmeric,cardamom,coriander seed)
  
  
• 1 tsp Black salt (Available in Indian stores ) (optional)
  
  
• Butter to cook
  
  
• 10 Pavs (small squares of Bread shaped like Buns. I had some buns sprinkled with sesame seeds)
  
  
• salt to taste
  

Method

1. Heat about 3-4 tbsp of butter (more the merrier), add onions and saute them till soft.



Add capsicum and saute for another min.Add ginger and garlic along with chillies. Saute another 2 min.



2.Add the tomatoes and mix well, till soft. Add the puree along with the spices (including black salt if using) and mix well another 5-10min till the raw smell of the puree goes away.Season with salt.



3.Add the boiled vegetables along with the potatoes, mix well and if the gravy is thick add little water. Let it come to a boil and then reduce and let it warm in simmer.

4.Meanwhile heat a non-stcik pan and grease it with butter. Take a bun/Pav, slice it in half and cook with butter until lightly brown on both the sides.



5.Seve hot with the bhaji(gravy) garnish with cilantro and lemon wedges.