Pav Bhaji

Ingredients

For 5 servings:

• 2 large potatoes 385 grams, boiled
• 1/2 head of a small cauliflower 215 grams, boiled
• 1/2 of a large green pepper 135 grams, boiled
• 1/2 cup frozen green peas boiled
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons butter unsalted, divided
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 medium red onion 230 grams, finely chopped
• 2 inch ginger 24 grams, finely chopped
• 7 cloves garlic 20 grams, finely chopped
• 2 green chilies finely chopped, adjust to taste
• 3 large tomatoes 425 grams, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup tomato puree store bought
• 1.25 teaspoon salt divided
• 1.25 cups water divided
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon pav bhaji masala or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder or to taste
• 2 teaspoons kasuri methi also known as dried fenugreek leaves
• 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• juice of 1 large lemon

Instructions

1. Boil the veggies first and keep them ready. I used my pressure cooker to boil them until they were soft and tender.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pot on medium heat. Once the butter melts and oil is hot, add the cumin seeds and let them sizzle.
3. Add the chopped onions and mix.
4. Cook the onions for around 4 minutes until golden brown in color.
5. Add the finely chopped ginger, garlic and green chili. Cook the ginger-garlic-green chili for 1 minute.
6. Add chopped tomatoes and mix well. Let the tomatoes cook for 2 minutes.
7. Add store bought tomato puree, 1/4 cup water and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover the pan and let the tomato cook for 6 minutes until softened and completely cooked.
8. Add the pav bhaji masala, red chili powder and remaining 1 teaspoon of salt. You may also add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar here (optional).
9. Mix well and then add in 2 teaspoons of kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves).
10. Stir in the boiled veggies and mix. Using a potato masher, mash the veggies until they are completely mixed with the masala.
11. Add the remaining 3/4 - 1 cup water and mix. I used an immersion blender to blend the veggies to a paste like consistency at this point but this is optional. You may keep them as such.
12. Cover the pot and set heat to low. Let the bhaji simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.
13. Open the pot and add in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
14. Add a generous amount of chopped cilantro.
15. Then add in juice of 1 large lemon. Let the bhaji simmer for 2 more minutes and then remove pan from heat.