This mouthwatering street specialty takes no time to disappear from the plate, making it one of the most loved street foods across the country!
A medley of mashed veggies in a tomato-based, slightly tangy gravy is easily accessible at almost every eatery in India. You can spot the passionate street food lovers thronging these eateries looking for this flavor-packed, delicious dish to relish and satiate their craving souls! If good food is known to bring happiness, then this dish is the perfect example. Together it means bread rolls served with a vegetable dish. This easy Mumbai-style Pav Bhaji recipe consists of soft, feather-light textured rolls smeared with butter and served with a tomato-based bhaji, essentially a medley of assorted veggies flavored and uniquely blended with spices. Chopped onions and cilantro are used as toppings, and lemon wedges served with this dish add a magical touch to the overall flavor! If you stroll around the bustling city streets in India, you can spot street vendors cooking and assembling the bhaji on a large skillet and serving it hot on a platter alongside butter-laden pavs and lemon wedges.
A straightforward recipe Packs tons of flavors and textures Cooks in one pot, minimizing efforts and time A great way to include veggies in the meal, and Loved by all ages!
The best part is that this bhaji recipe is gluten-free and can be served with gluten-free Pavs.
Beetroot — This is optional, but beetroot lends subtle earthy flavor and appealing deep-red color to the recipe, making it look irresistibly luscious. Butter — Adds real magic to the Instant Pot Pav Bhaji recipe, so it should not be skipped. It renders a rich buttery taste to the bhaji, and the soft Pavs smeared generously with the butter make it a heavenly dish. Onion and ginger paste — Onions and ginger lend their unique flavors that hype the overall taste of the recipe. Tomato Puree — Adds a touch of tanginess and also some richness to the bhaji’s texture. Pav Bahji Masala — The star ingredient of this recipe, Pav Bhaji Masala, is a unique blend of spices that turn the mashed veggies into the stunning Bhaji recipe! Water — It is essentially used to dilute the bhaji that keeps thickening when cooked. To maintain the desired consistency, you must occasionally add some water while cooking. I have used the leftover water from the boiled veggies. However, you can use regular water for your preparation. Kasoori Methi — Kasoori methi or dried fenugreek leaves are crushed and added to the recipe, which lends a unique flavor to the dish. Creative use of the leftover veggies — This Quick and easy Bhaji recipe is a great way to utilize the leftover veggies in your fridge. You can use any leftover raw veggies like potatoes, cauliflower, peas, carrots, bell peppers, beans, etc., that make a great addition to the taste and nutrition of the recipe. Addition of carrots — I prefer to keep adding carrots on the lower side as they may make the bhaji sweeter owing to their sweet taste. Addition of beetroots — Although adding this magic root is optional, I recommend you to use it in the Pav bhaji recipe, as it adds a nice color and a subtle earthy flavor. Looks that make you drool — This Mumbai-style Pav Bhaji recipe attains its deep red orange-ish color from the added ingredients like the Kashmiri Chilli Powder and the tomato puree. Please add both to achieve the beautiful looks that will leave your family drooling over it! A touch of lemony magic — A generous squeeze of lemon just before serving this delicacy adds a delectable tangy taste and takes your bhaji to a new level! For the vegan bhaji — This bhaji can be turned into a vegan bhaji just by replacing regular butter with vegan butter.
Tip for Instant Pot Pav Bhaji — If you are cooking your Pav Bhaji in the Instant Pot, remember to dice your veggies in an even cut. This helps to cook them all at the same time. When cooking in the Instant Pot, you don’t need to boil the veggies, just add the raw ones to it and seal. It will cook the wonderful bhaji in no time and without any intervention! For a completely gluten-free recipe — This delicious bhaji is gluten-free already. But, when serving, use gluten-free dinner rolls for an utterly gluten-free dinner. Adding a healthy vitamin twist — Add an abundance of vitamin-rich veggies like bell peppers, carrots, and zucchini to meet the daily requirement of vitamins- the more of it, the merrier! Fresh masala for fresh flavors — Fresh Pav Bhaji masala should be used to bring maximum flavor to the Pav Bhaji recipe. The newer it is, the stronger the flavor! I love Everest Pav Bhaji Masala, but there are several others like MDH Pav Bhaji Masala, Badshah, Shan, etc. You can use the one your taste buds approve of! For the chunky texture — Bhaji is best relished when it has a smooth consistency. But in case you want it chunkier, just crush the vegetables lightly with the masher. Finishing to perfection — Always finish preparing your delicious bhaji by adding crushed Kasoori methi and chopped cilantro leaves for maximum flavor and delectability. These two take the entire dish to another level.
Follow the step-by-step instructions to make the best Mumbai-style Pav Bhaji recipe
Bring your favorite veggies together and enthrall your loved ones with this flavorful savory delicacy. Should you make this Mumbai-style Pav Bhaji recipe, please let me know your thoughts by sharing your comment below. And don’t forget to share it with your family and friends.
CRAVING FOR MORE? TRY SOME OTHER delicious Street food recipes –
