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Street Foods of India – Episode 4

Nutritious Ambrosia
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Mumbai special – Pav Bhaji

VEGAN, VEGETARIAN, NUT-FREE, GLUTEN-FREE

Presenting episode 4 of my Street Foods series – Pav Bhaji – Mumbai street food special. 

This dish is super delicious and very fulfilling. It can be made healthy with the addition of plenty of veggies and going very low on fats and oils. 

On the streets, of course, it is a greasy dish, which is what street food entails. A fun night out, walking around and enjoying delicious, spicy, and memorable foods….. it is part of the experience! 

Lets make it healthy at home. 

  1. Choose whole grain slide buns
  2. Bring in a lot more vegetables 

Traditionally (pav) Bhaji is made predominantly with potatoes. Mixing up vegetables like carrots, peas, green beans, and cauliflower brings in a different taste and texture but does not take away the original flavors. 

So, what is this dish about – it’s truly a well cooked mix of vegetables prepared into a semi-solid state and flavored richly with the bhaji masala. I do make the masala powder from scratch, if possible, although there are some good quality ones easily available in the Indian stores and spice stores. The cooked dish looks like a sloppy joe, so the vegetables are not really standing out, which makes it a very easy dish for picky kids to enjoy as well. Just keep the spice level low for little kids.

I personally prepare my bhaji extremely spicy. If water is not streaming out of your eyes while enjoying pav bhaji then the whole purpose is lost 😇🤪

This is actually a very easy dish to prepare; it stays well and it freezes very well. There are 2 critical ingredients – potatoes are a must. However, the other is up for choice: it can be green peppers or capsicum. This is the main flavor profile and cannot be omitted. Finishing off the dish with plenty of pav bhaji masala powder is also a must. 

Enjoy it on top of sliders or burger buns which are toasted crisp and topped off with freshly cut onions bits. My mouth is watering as I write this post …. Time to put Pav Bhaji on your weekly menu soon! 

Try our other Street foods too!

New Series – Street foods of India

Street Foods of India – Episode 2

Street foods of India – Episode 3

Print Recipe

Mumbai Street food special – Pav Bhaji

Pav bhaji is a vegan dish which is spread on top of buns and enjoyed. This dish especially is very fulfilling with plenty of vegetables.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 small Shallot chopped
  • 2-3 Green Chillies chopped
  • 2 green Pepper chopped
  • 2 Tomatoes chopped
  • 2 cups Mixed Vegetables carrots, peas, green beans, cauliflower
  • 1 inch Ginger grated
  • 2 cups Potatoes cooked and mashed
  • Cilantro for garnish
  • 1 tbsp Lemon juice
  • 2 tbsps Bhaji Masala powder

Instructions

  • Start a large skillet, add oil and add chopped onions, green chillies
  • Add green peppers and saute
  • Add the mixed veggies and fry a little
  • Add the tomatoes and ginger, put a lid on and cook till soft
  • Take a masher and mash this mixture to combine
  • Next, add the cooked potatoes, add salt
  • Add a cup of water and mix completely
    Add the Bhaji masala powder
  • Using a drum like movement, mix with 2 spatulas in 2 hands until everything is well combined
  • Garnish with plenty of cilantro
  • Finish of with a squeeze of lemon juice 

To Assemble and Serve-

  • To serve, toast a bun to crisp texture
  • Spread the bhaji mixture liberally
  • Top with chopped onions and serve 

Published by Nutritious Ambrosia

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