Pav Bhaji (Indian Street Food)

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My friend Munira is a wonderful cook! For years she would never share her recipes, saying why would we come over for dinner if we knew how to cook the food? :)

But last weekend we arrived as she was starting to make Pav Bhaji (from Cook w/ Manali), a popular Indian street food where rolls/buns are served with spicy mashed veggies and butter (for us, no butter) -- and she allowed me to take photos! So lots of photos below. Munira says that many things she makes have this similar base -- just add beans or whatever you feel like at the end, or use different spice mixes (Indian stores have many masala mixes; experiment!)

Ingredients

2 T canola oil
1 jalapeno pepper and/or
   1 dried red hot pepper (2 for super spicy)
1 T cumin seed
1 tsp mustard seed
1 large onion (red best), chopped
1 cup cilantro
2 cups chopped tomato

Spices:
turmeric
coriander
chili powder
Pav Bhaji masala (or other spice blend)

various vegetables, like (roughly)...
2 green peppers
head of cauliflower (steamed a bit first)
2 potatoes (steamed a bit first)
1 cup peas

Instructions

See the photos! Saute cumin, mustard seed, and hot pepper in oil for a couple minutes. Add onion and cook a few minutes. Add cilantro and tomato and cook. Add spices and stir and cook. Add vegetables and stir and cook well - like 30 minutes to let everything blend together!

Serve with toasted bread (to make a sandwich) and garnish with red onion, cilantro, and lemon!

Shown above with Chinese broccoli that Jackie made (saute fried fresh garlic in sesame oil and a little soy sauce, and add slightly steamed Chinese broccoli, toss and serve!)

 

 

 

 

 

 





Jackie makes her Chinese broccoli on the second burner...

Munira stirs and waits... and toasts and waits...

Patti hopes she can replicate this!



And... it's ready! Yum!


And fast forward to another bhaji attempt in May 2020 for the birthday boy - it was delicious!



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