Craving some pav bhaji

Originally uploaded by lools.

Dying for some Bombay street food after reading Rumy's blog, I decided to whip up some pav bhaji at home here in Manhattan.

Pav bhaji is one of Bombay's most popular fast foods. It's nothing but a wonderfully spicy blob of well mashed boiled vegetables on top of a toasted bun liberally soaking in butter. Sardar's in Tardeo has the most delecious pav bhaji in Bombay though its's probably a thousand calorie meal right there.

Here's a simple recipe:

2 russet potatoes, boiled, peeled and diced
1 c cooked small chopped mixed vegetables - carrots, beans, peas, cauliflower
1/2 c chopped onions
5 tbsps butter
4 green chilis, slit and chopped
1/2 inch ginger, sliced finely
2 tomatos, chopped
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp ginger garlic paste
salt to taste
1 tsp garam masala
a bunch of fresh coriander leaves, chopped
2 tbsp lemon juice
lemon wedges for garnish
4 pao or buns, halved

Method

Heat 1-2 tbsps butter in a pan. Reserve 3 tsp chopped onions for garnish and fry the remaining till light brown. Add green chillis, ginger and tomatoes and saute over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat, then add the red chilli powder, mixed vegetables and potatoes.

With a spatula, simultaneously mash and stir for 5 minutes. While stirring, keep sprinkling the ginger garlic paste, dissolved in 6 tablespoons water. Add salt some extra butter. Increase the heat and stir well.

Sprinkle garam masala, coriander leaves, lemon juice and remove from heat.

Garnish with remaining chopped onions.

Apply the remaining butter on the bun-halves, place them on a pre-heated frying pan. Fry until golden brown on both sides. Serve with the bhaji and a lemon wedge.