Meatless Monday : Pav Bhaji | Indian Mashed vegetable Casserole

This is a popular North Indian street food and has won the hearts of many many Indians for many  years.But these days you can find them served in restaurants and small eateries all across the country.This is a simple gravy with mashed vegetable served and served with Pav buns.Pav in Hindi means quarter and bhaji is vegetable meaning quartered bread with mashed veggies.

I had had this in some of the local restaurants & eateries back in India. But the best one to name  is the one my friend P  has made for a casual meet of a handful of friends.I was completely taken away by this finger licking taste and got the recipe from her.

In my recent visit to India , my brother has made this for us and my boy enjoyed this like there is no tomorrow.From then on , it was in my never ending to-do list(!). And I'm happy that I made this couple of times for him and this has become a family favorite now.

This will be a best choice when you are up to empty the refrigerator or left with bits and pieces of few veggies. No one can find this lip smacking gravy is from left over veggies.

Ingredients

Garlic ............................................ 1 head, finely chopped / minced
Onion ............................................ 1 cup , finely chopped / minced + little extra for garnish
Tomato ......................................... 1 1/2 cups , finely chopped
Pav Bhaji Masala ............................ 1 tbsp * see notes
Red Chilli Powder ......................... 1 tsp
Mixed Vegetables ........................... 2 cups (carrots, green beans, potato , peas, capsicum,beets, cauliflower)
Salt ............................................ to taste
Butter ......................................... 1 tsp
Oil .............................................. 1.5 tbsp
Coriander Leaves ......................... a handful
lemon wedges .............................. few
Pav Buns .................................... few  *see notes

Method

• Pressure cook the mixed vegetables and set aside.
• Mean while ,  prepare the onion, garlic and tomato. I use a small food processor for this.
• Heat oil in a pan and saute the garlic for couple minutes,until the raw smell is gone.
• Add in the onions and a bit of salt and saute until soft and translucent.
• Stir in the tomatoes, pav bhaji masala , red chilli powder, salt and cook well.
• Now slightly mash the boiled vegetables along with the cooked water ( I used a hand blender ) and add it to the tomato gravy.
• Cook for few more minutes and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.Add 1/2 tsp butter to this and garnish with chopped onions and coriander leaves.

To Assemble

Heat a griddle on medium.Cut the pav buns in the griddle and apply some butter and toast it on the griddle.
Now serve these buns with hot bhaji with some topped onions, coriander leaves and lemon wedges.

Note

• Find these Pav Buns and Pav Bhaji Masala in any local Indian Grocers or you can use potato rolls or any soft variety of buns like Ham Burger Buns.
• The choice of vegetable is absolutely yours .
• I like my gravy little chunky as it adds to the texture while I enjoy them, but you can make it smooth too.
• For vegan choice , use vegan butter or omit butter.