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Mumbai Pav Bhaji

Delicious Indian street food with a fluffy, buttered and toasted bread roll served with a thick curried vegetable mash. Garnished with cilantro, red onions, lemon juice and butter!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 495 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

Mashed Vegetables
  • 3 potatoes medium, Yukon Gold (peeled)
  • 1.5 cups cauliflower florets
  • ¼ teaspoon Turmeric for coloring
Bhaji Base
  • 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 red onion chopped, medium size
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped (substitute with jalapeno for a spicier version)
  • 1 teaspoon ginger paste
  • 2 teaspoon minced garlic  substitute with 2-3 garlic cloves
  • 1 can pureed tomatoes (14.5 oz) if using diced, puree first
  • 1 cup peas frozen (can use fresh also)
  • 2 tablespoon Pav Bhaji Masala check recipe notes for three options!
  • 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste!
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro chopped, for garnish
Serving
  • 12 dinner rolls pav
  • 4 tablespoon vegan butter salted (for toasting the rolls and for garnish)
  • ½ onion sliced thinly
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro chopped
  • 1 lemon sliced into wedges

Instructions

Prep potatoes and cauliflower
    Cup of Yum
  1. Add peeled potatoes, cauliflower florets and a pinch of turmeric to a large pot of water. Bring to a boil on medium heat for 15-20 mins until fork can smoothly be inserted into potatoes
  2. Drain, mash and set aside
Prepare the base
  1. Heat vegetable oil (or ghee) in a deep pan
  2. Add chopped red onions and green peppers and saute for about 3 minutes until golden brown
  3. Add ginger paste and minced garlic to this and saute for 30 seconds until fragrant
  4. Add pureed tomatoes and deglaze the pan (i.e. press with back of wooden spoon to bring together flavors) - saute on high heat for 3 minutes
  5. Add the mashed cauliflower and potatoes along with the peas and 2 tablespoons of pav bhaji masala, and 1-1.5 cups of water - mix well together
  6. Mash again using back of spoon or a masher so it's fluid but not watery
  7. Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes until all the components come together
Prepare to serve
  1. Toast the buns in a toaster or on a pan using salted butter
  2. Serve the toasted buns with bhaji as well as some sliced red onions, cilantro, 1-2 lemon wedges and a dollop of butter on the bhaji

Notes

  • There are three potential options for pav bhaji masala: you can make it from scratch, you can buy it at the Indian store or Amazon, or improvise using garam masala - check the post for detailed instructions 
  • This dish is super versatile. I use six vegetables but you can make this with as little as just potatoes and onions, or you can throw in other vegetables like carrots, beets, and eggplants too! You can also use frozen mixed vegetables. 
  • If you have an Instant Pot, check the post for instructions on making this recipe!
  • If you're doubling the recipe, the cook times are the same - but please be careful about doubling the masala. Slowly add and increase to taste.  
  • This recipe is spicy, but not overly so - especially when you eat it with bread. If you want to make it spicier, soak some Kashmiri red chili peppers and grind it with the ginger-garlic paste. To make it less spicy, reduce the amount of red chili powder into the pav bhaji masala

Nutrition Information

Calories 495kcal (25%) Carbohydrates 74g (25%) Protein 13g (26%) Fat 18g (28%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Cholesterol 20mg (7%) Sodium 1014mg (42%) Potassium 988mg (28%) Fiber 10g (40%) Sugar 9g (18%) Vitamin A 642IU (13%) Vitamin C 77mg (86%) Calcium 217mg (22%) Iron 5mg (28%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 495

% Daily Value*

Calories 495kcal 25%
Carbohydrates 74g 25%
Protein 13g 26%
Fat 18g 28%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Cholesterol 20mg 7%
Sodium 1014mg 42%
Potassium 988mg 21%
Fiber 10g 40%
Sugar 9g 18%
Vitamin A 642IU 13%
Vitamin C 77mg 86%
Calcium 217mg 22%
Iron 5mg 28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.