5 Delicious Pav Bhaji Recipes to Try at Home

Pav bhaji is a popular street food from India, consisting of a thick vegetable curry served with soft bread rolls. The dish is loved for its delicious combination of spices and vegetables, as well as its versatility. Here are five unique and delicious pav bhaji recipes that you can try at home.

1. Classic Pav Bhaji:

This is the traditional recipe for pav bhaji, which is enjoyed all over India. To make it, you will need:

2 cups of boiled and mashed vegetables (such as potatoes, carrots, peas, and cauliflower)

1 onion, finely chopped

2 tomatoes, finely chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 inch ginger, minced

2 green chilies, finely chopped

1 tsp cumin powder

1 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp red chili powder

1 tsp pav bhaji masala

Salt, to taste

2 tbsp oil

2 tbsp butter

8 pav buns

Instructions:

Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until they turn translucent.

Add garlic and ginger, and sauté for a few seconds.

Add tomatoes, green chilies, cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, and pav bhaji masala. Mix well and cook until the tomatoes turn mushy.

Add the mashed vegetables and mix well. Add salt to taste.

Add 1 cup of water and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Mash the mixture with a potato masher or a spoon to make it smooth and thick.

Heat the butter in a separate pan and lightly toast the pav buns.

Serve the pav bhaji hot with the toasted pav buns on the side.

2. Cheesy Pav Bhaji:

For a cheesy twist on the classic recipe, try adding some grated cheese to the pav bhaji. You will need:

The ingredients for the classic pav bhaji recipe

1 cup grated cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)

1 tbsp butter

Instructions:

Follow the instructions for the classic pav bhaji recipe, but before adding the mashed vegetables, add the grated cheese and butter to the pan.

Mix well and cook until the cheese is melted and the mixture is well combined.

Serve the cheesy pav bhaji hot with the toasted pav buns on the side.

3. Spicy Pav Bhaji:

For those who like a little extra heat, try this spicy pav bhaji recipe. You will need:

The ingredients for the classic pav bhaji recipe

2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

2 tbsp chopped fresh mint

1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp red chili powder

2 tbsp butter

Instructions:

Follow the instructions for the classic pav bhaji recipe, but add the garam masala, red chili powder, and the chopped cilantro and mint to the pan before adding the mashed vegetables.

2. Mix well and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan to give it a rich and creamy texture.

Serve the spicy pav bhaji hot with the toasted pav buns on the side.

4. Paneer Pav Bhaji:

For a protein-packed version of pav bhaji, try adding some paneer (Indian cottage cheese) to the recipe. You will need:

The ingredients for the classic pav bhaji recipe

1 cup crumbled paneer

2 tbsp butter

1 tsp cumin powder

2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions:

Follow the instructions for the classic pav bhaji recipe, but before adding the mashed vegetables, add the crumbled paneer and butter to the pan.

Mix well and cook until the paneer is heated through and the mixture is well combined.

Add 1 tsp of cumin powder and 2 tbsp of chopped cilantro, mix well

Serve the paneer pav bhaji hot with the toasted pav buns on the side.

5. Mushroom Pav Bhaji:

For a unique take on pav bhaji, try adding some mushrooms to the recipe. You will need:

The ingredients for the classic pav bhaji recipe

1 cup chopped mushrooms

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions:

Follow the instructions for the classic pav bhaji recipe, but before adding the mashed vegetables, add the chopped mushrooms and butter to the pan.

Mix well and cook until the mushrooms are tender and the mixture is well combined.

Add 2 tbsp of chopped cilantro, mix well.

Serve the mushroom pav bhaji hot with the toasted pav buns on the side.

Conclusion

These five pav bhaji recipes are a great starting point for experimenting with different flavors and ingredients. Feel free to get creative and add your own personal touch to the dish. Whether you prefer it classic, cheesy, spicy, protein-packed or mushroomy, pav bhaji is a dish that can be enjoyed by everyone.