Pav Bhaji

Pav Bhaji is one of the popular street foods in North India and roughly translates to bread (Pav) and vegetables (bhaji). This past weekend I went to visit some friends and I was really inspired to recreate this treat that friends mom made for us. 

It's a delicious way to use up any leftover vegetables. I used whole wheat burger buns so that's a bit more healthier ;) 

Ingredients:

Any veggies that you have. I used the following:

Potatoes (boiled and mashed) abt 5 small

Tomatoes (boil with potato and then remove and purée) - abt 4 medium

Carrots (grated and pressed to remove excess water) - 3 skinny ones 

Green peppers -1

Green beans - couple 

Frozen peas - 1/2 to 1 cup

Onions -1 medium or half of large

Garlic - 3-4 cloves

Ginger - 1 to 1.5 inches

Pav Bhaji Masala (found in Indian stores) - 2-4 tbsp 

Whole wheat burger buns

Butter 

Oil for cooking

Salt to taste

Note: I can see cauliflower or broccoli also being great in this!

Preparation:

Prep all the veggies and chop beans, pepper, onions into small pieces. 

In some evoo sauté peppers, beans and carrots until they are no longer raw. Take them out and add some oil. Add onions and cook until translucent. Add garlic and cook for about 2 mins. Add the Pav bhaji masala and cook for a few mins. Add some water if it looks too try. 

Then add mashed potatoes and add some puréed tomatoes. Add peas and the carrot/pepper mixture that we sautéed before. Keep mashing the potatoes and add tomato purée and about an inch or so of grated ginger. Let it cook until the spices and veggies mix together and its almost the consistency of mashed potatoes. Keep adding water if as necessary. Top with cilantro. 

To serve:

- Butter the buns and toast in a pan (you ban skip the butter and use oil or even dry roast)

- Serve both and top the hot bhaji (veggies) with a pat of butter

- Can also cut up some red onions and wedge of lime/lemon and serve it on the side.