Pav Bhaji (Bread w/Vegetables) & Masala (spice mix)

Directions

Pav Bhaji Masala

1. Heat a shallow pan to medium heat and add the first 13 ingredients and dry roast until aromatic. This should take approximately 2-3 minutes. Keep an eye on the spices so they don't burn. Make sure the curry leaves get crispy.  Remove the spices from the pan onto a plate. 

2. Add amchur powder to the warm spices to release the amchur aroma. In addition, add the salt. Cool spices.

3. Add cooled spices to a grinder jar (coffee grinder) and grind to a fine powder. You may need to do grind in batches.  Add powder to a glass jar and cover with a lid.  This will make more powder than you need for this recipe. Store for future use. 

4. I also use this powder to coat the rolls before serving. Why not! 

Pav Bhaji

1. In a pressure cooker or your Instant Pot, add potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, peas, 1/2 cup water and salt and cook for 6 minutes on Hi pressure.  Allow pressure to release and open lid. Note: You can also boil all the vegetables on the stove top in a pot. Cover vegetables with water and cook under tender enough to mash.

2. With vegetables still in pressure cooker, mash the vegetables with a potato masher or the backside of a large spoon until you have a chunky texture.  Set aside. Note: You can mash it more if you prefer a smooth bhaji. 

3. In a pan over medium heat, add oil and butter. Add chopped onion and ginger/garlic paste. Saute until onion turns translucent. 

4. To the onion, add bell pepper, chopped tomato, green chili and sauté until the veggies are soft. 

5. Add red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder and pav bhaji masala powder. 

6. Stir and cook for 1 minute.

7. Add 3/4 cup water, mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes. 

8. Now add the boiled/mashed vegetables from the pressure cooker and fresh squeezed lemon juice. 

9. Mix well and cook for 4-5 minutes. Taste for salt at this stage and add more if needed. Turn off flame and add chopped cilantro and mix well. 

Toast the Pav

1. Separate or cut the pav buns in half horizontally. In a flat pan on medium heat, add 1 T. butter and lightly sprinkle some pav bhaji masala (1 tsp) on top of the butter and then place the buns face down in the pan. 

2. Press to toast the pav until crisp and slightly browned.  Repeat melted butter/masala until all the buns are toasted.

To Serve the Pav Bhaji

1. Place a ladle of bhaji on a plate. Top the bhaji with a dollop of butter. Serve with 2 toasted pav buns, a side of chopped onions and a lemon wedge. 

2. Eat up and Enjoy!