Pav Bhaji Recipe – How to Make This Awesome Mumbai Street Food at Home

If u ever been to Mumbai or even heard about street food, u gotta know pav bhaji. It’s like this spicy mash of veggies cooked with butter and some magic spices, served with soft pav buns toasted in butter. Honestly, its one of the best comfort foods ever, like super addictive. And guess what? It’s really not that hard to make at home, u just gotta know the basics.

So here’s a simple pav bhaji recipe that anyone can try, even if ur not a pro cook. Just follow and u’ll have a hot plate of delicious pav bhaji in less than an hour.

What even is Pav Bhaji?

So basically, pav bhaji is mashed vegetables cooked in spicy tomato gravy with loads of butter, served with these pav buns which are kinda like soft bread rolls. It started in Mumbai as food for mill workers who needed something quick and filling. Now it’s everywhere in India and loved by millions.

The veggies usually are potatoes, peas, cauliflower, capsicum, and sometimes carrots or beans. But hey, u can add whatever u have in fridge.

Ingredients U Need:

For the Bhaji (mashed veggie curry):

• 3 medium potatoes (peeled)

• 1 cup cauliflower florets

• 1 cup green peas (frozen or fresh)

• 1 big onion (chopped fine)

• 2 tomatoes (chopped)

• 1 capsicum (chopped)

• 1 carrot (optional)

• 2-3 green chilies (depends on how spicy u want)

• 2 tsp ginger garlic paste (or finely chopped)

• 2 tsp pav bhaji masala (get from Indian store)

• 1 tsp red chili powder (optional)

• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder

• 1 tsp cumin seeds

• Butter (LOTS, like 3-4 tbsp minimum)

• Salt to taste

• Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing

• Lemon wedges to squeeze at the end

For the Pav:

• Pav buns (u can find in Indian bakery, or use any soft bread roll)

• Butter to toast the buns

How to Make Pav Bhaji Step by Step

1. Boil the veggies first

First boil the potatoes, cauliflower, peas, carrot (if using) till soft. Use pressure cooker if u have, otherwise just boil in pot till u can mash easily. Drain the water and mash roughly with potato masher or fork.

2. Make the bhaji base

Heat 2 tbsp butter in a pan, medium heat. Add cumin seeds, wait till they start popping. Then add chopped onions and green chilies, sauté till onions turn light brown.

Add ginger garlic paste, cook till the raw smell goes. Then add tomatoes, cook till mushy and oil starts leaving edges.

3. Add spices and veggies

Add turmeric, chili powder, pav bhaji masala and salt. Mix it all well and cook for couple minutes. Add capsicum now and cook for 3-4 mins till soft.

Add the mashed boiled veggies and mix everything well. Add little water if too thick. Let it simmer on medium low heat for 10-15 mins, stirring often.

4. Mash it good

Keep mashing the veggies while cooking so everything mixes well. The more mashed the better.

5. Butter time and garnish

Add 1-2 tbsp butter on top, mix well. Cook for 2 more mins. Sprinkle coriander leaves on top.

6. Toast the pav

Cut pav buns horizontally, but not all way through. Heat pan, add butter and toast buns till golden and crispy on sides.

7. Serve hot

Serve bhaji with hot butter toasted pav, chopped onions, lemon wedges and extra butter on top if u want.

Tips & Tricks to Make It Perfect

• Butter is super important, don’t skimp on it coz that’s the magic.

• Use fresh pav bhaji masala for best taste, or mix garam masala + chili powder if u dont have.

• Adjust green chilies depending how much spice u like.

• Keep the bhaji creamy but not watery. Add water slowly.

• Some people add pinch sugar to cut tomato sourness, u can try if u want.

• Adding lemon juice just before serving gives good tangy flavor.

• Eat pav bhaji hot, it loses taste when cold.

Variations u can try

• Cheese pav bhaji – add grated cheese on top, melts and tastes awesome

• Jain pav bhaji – no onion or garlic, replace potatoes with raw banana

• Paneer pav bhaji – add paneer cubes for richer flavor

• Extra spicy pav bhaji – add more chili powder and green chilies

Why pav bhaji is so popular?

Pav bhaji is loved coz it’s tasty, filling and cheap. Perfect for quick meal or snacks. The buttery pav and spicy mash combo is just unbeatable. Also u can eat it on roadside stall or fancy dinner table, both work.

Final thoughts

Making pav bhaji at home isn’t that hard. Just follow steps and u’ll get Mumbai street food feeling on plate. Perfect for rainy days or anytime u want spicy, buttery, comforting food.

So try it next time u crave something different. Don’t forget extra butter and lemon. Enjoy!