Most people who have been to Mumbai reminisce about the mouthwatering street food found on every corner of the city. This is a spicy and savory mix of vegetables served with toasted buttery bread. Here’s a quick and easy version of this street food favorite called Pav Bhaji.
Pav Bhaji (Mixed Vegetable Mumbai Street Food)
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon jeera (cumin seeds)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon powder or 1 whole cinnamon stick
- 2 teaspoons lal mirch (cayenne pepper, based on personal preference for heat)
- 4 tablespoons Badshah Mumbai Bhaji Pav Masala or your preferred brand
- 2 tablespoons salt (adjust according to taste)
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced or finely chopped
- 5 medium tomatoes or 8 roma tomatoes roughly chopped
- 1 large onion roughly chopped
- 4 medium potatoes roughly diced
- ½ head medium cauliflower roughly chopped
- ¼ bunch cilantro chopped
- 1 medium lemon
- ½ cup frozen peas
- ½ cup water
- Garnish Ingredients:
- ½ bunch cilantro chopped
- ½ small onion diced small
- 1 roma tomato diced small
- 1 large lemon
Instructions
- Turn on InstaPot to SAUTE mode
- Add butter and allow to melt
- Add cumin seeds and cinnamon powder or cinnamon stick- allow to to sizzle for 1 minute
- Add onions, stir to mix and cover Instapot with a glass lid
- Allow onions to saute for 2-4 minutes until translucent -stir regularly
- Add tomatoes, pav bhaji masala, salt, lal mirch (cayenne) and ½ cup water
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly, close Instapot with a glass lid and allow to cook for 4-5 minutes until tomatoes are soft
- Squeeze juice of 1 lemon into the mixture
- Add roughly chopped potatoes, cilantro, cauliflower
- Mix well to incorporate the ingredients
- Close the lid on the Instapot to lock it
- Press CANCEL button on InstaPot to turn off
- Set pot to MANUAL mode
- Set to HIGH PRESSURE
- Set timer to 9-11 minutes (11 minutes if vegetables are chopped larger)
- Turn vent on the lid to CLOSE VENT to prevent steam from escaping
- Once done, manually release the steam by opening the vent. The silver prong will drop back into the lid. BE CAREFUL OF THE HOT STEAM
- Open the lid and allow the pav bhaji to cool for 2 minutes to prevent burns
- If you used a cinnamon stick instead of powder, remove the cinnamon stick at this point
- Using a hand blender, being sure not to touch the bottom of the Instapot with the blender to prevent scratching, blend the mix to your preferred consistency. (Smooth or slightly chunky)
- Add in the frozen peas and stirl
- Press CANCEL on the Instapot
- Press SAUTE on the Instapot
- Cover the Instapot with a glass lid
- Allow peas to cook for 2 minutes
- Press CANCEL on the Instapot
- Garnish and enjoy!
Notes
Garnish:
Mix together the onions, tomatoes and cilantro.
Serving suggestion:
Plate pav bhaji, top with garnish, squeeze lemon juice on top if preferred.
Serve with toasted buttery bread.
Variations:
Use any brand of Pav Bhaji masala you prefer
Add more chilies if you want a spicier dish
Add more pav bhaji masala for a more intense flavor
NO ONION/NO GARLIC VARIATION: You can take out the onion and garlic from the recipe and continue with the other steps.
VEGAN VARIATION: Use oil instead of butter in step 2. Use plant based butter or oil to toast the bread with.
Mix together the onions, tomatoes and cilantro.
Serving suggestion:
Plate pav bhaji, top with garnish, squeeze lemon juice on top if preferred.
Serve with toasted buttery bread.
Variations:
Use any brand of Pav Bhaji masala you prefer
Add more chilies if you want a spicier dish
Add more pav bhaji masala for a more intense flavor
NO ONION/NO GARLIC VARIATION: You can take out the onion and garlic from the recipe and continue with the other steps.
VEGAN VARIATION: Use oil instead of butter in step 2. Use plant based butter or oil to toast the bread with.
