As the year comes to an end, I would like to thank all my blog visitors and followers for their continuous appreciation. New Year is the time to unfold new horizons & realize new dreams, to rediscover the strength & faith within you, to rejoice in simple pleasures & gear up for new challenges. I wish you all a truly fulfilling 2012. A VERY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU!!!
And lastly, I would like to end this year with a spicy and mouth-watering dish, Khada Pav-Bhaji. Pav-bhaji is a very famous street food in Mumbai. It is also available in different forms, Cheese Pav-Bhaji, Mushroom Pav-bhaji, Jain Pav-bhaji and so on. In Khada Pav Bhaji, the vegetables are not mashed and kept whole (or khada). In the original preparation, we normally do not add turmeric powder, tomato puree or vegetable stock. I have added these elements to make the Khada Pav-bhaji a bit more juicy
Ingredients :For Pav-Bhaji :5 tbspns oil3 tbspns butter1 tbspns garlic paste1/2 tbspns ginger paste3 tbspns red chilly paste (as given below)2 & 1/2 cups finely chopped onion1/2 cup chopped green capsicum1/2 cup chopped tomatoes1/2 cup parboiled green peas1/4 cup chopped & parboiled cauliflower1/2 cup boiled and mashed potatoes1 cup tomato puree 1 cup vegetable stock (See note below)2-3 tbspns Pav-bhaji MasalaA pinch of turmericSalt to taste1/2 cup fresh chopped corriander
To make red chilly paste :18-20 red chilliesWater
For Garnishing :Chopped CorrianderChopped onionDollop of butter
To serve with :Finely Chopped onionLemon wedgeButtered Pav (Square Bread)
For Pav :Square breads Butter
Method:To make Red chilly paste:Remove seeds from red chilliesSoak it in water for 3-4 hoursDrain out excess waterTransfer it into a blenderBlend it into a smooth paste
To make Pav-bhaji:Take oil and butter in a large Wok / panAdd ginger paste, garlic paste and red chilly pasteSaute it for a minuteThen add chopped onion into the spicesSaute onions for 2 minutesThen add chopped capsicumSaute it for 5-6 minutesThen add chopped tomatoes Cook till tomatoes are soft and starts releasing oilAdd Pav-bhaji masala and a pinch of turmeric to the mixture Mix it wellThen add green peas, cauliflower and potatoes to itSubsequently add tomato puree and vegetable stockAdd salt to tasteAt the end add dollop of butter and chopped corrianderServe hotTo pan-fry Pav:Cut square bread from the centre into twoHeat a large flat panPut some butter over the panPlace sliced square breads on the panTurn the flame to mediumCook the bread by pressing it on the panCook till it is crisp and light brown in colour
Alternatively, apply butter to all the four sides of the square breadand follow the abovementioned procedure
To serve :Transfer bhaji into a serving plateSprinkle chopped onion and chopped fresh corriander over itLastly add a dollop of butter over itServe it with pan-fried square breads, lemon wedge and red chutney
Notes :The above quantity of ingredients yields pav-bhaji for 6 personsUse of turmeric is optional. The water used to boil the vegetables may be used as 'Vegetable stock' in Pav-bhaji
Stepwise Pictures :