Pav Bhaji & other yummy things

Food in Mumbai is really good for the most part. The variety of food available to me, a vegetarian, is huge. I’ve had a few days where I’ve wanted to take up residence in my bathroom, but the food was still really tasty going in!

Some of my favourite street foods are Vada Pav, Pav Bhaji, Idli, Masala Pav, Masala Dosa, Omlette, Half-Fry eggs, Bhurji, Sev Puri… and the list goes on. During the chilly monsoon days a nice cup of hot, spiced Sweetcorn is lovely. I’m looking forward to some this monsoon.

I’ve not attempted making many of these at home, but Pav Bhaji is pretty easy and yummy too.




















Here’s the recipe I use:

For the Bhaji
1 1/2 cups potatoes
1 cup cauliflower, chopped
1/2 cup carrots, chopped
1/2 cup green peas
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon oil
1 tablespoon cumin seeds (jeera)
1 teaspoon garlic paste
2 green chillies, finely chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup capsicum, finely chopped
2 1/2 cups tomatoes, chopped
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi)
1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
1 1/2 tablespoons Pav Bhaji masala
Salt to taste

1. Boil and mash the potatoes, keep aside.
2. Boil cauliflower, carrots and peas until tender. Drain and keep aside.
3. Over a medium flame, heat oil and butter in large non-stick pan and add jeera.
4. When seeds start to crackle add green chillies and garlic paste, stir for a few seconds.
5. Next add onion and capsicum and cook until soft, takes about 10 mins.
6. Add tomatoes, haldi, chilli powder, pav bhaji masala and salt. Cook for a further 6-7 mins, until oil separates.
7. Finally add cauliflower, carrots and peas and cook for a further 5 mins or so, mashing well.
8. Just before serving add a lump of butter for extra yumminess.

For the Pav
8 Pav (bread rolls)
4 teaspoons butter
1 teaspoon Pav Bhaji masala

1. Slice Pav in two.
2. Heat butter on tawa / frying pan, add sprinkle of pav bhaji masala.
3. Toast Pav until golden brown.

Serve Pav and Bhaji with a handful of chopped onion and a spinkle of lemon juice and chopped coriander if desired.
EAT!!!













If anyone has a favourite street food that you think I should try, then please let me know what I’m missing out on…