Pav Bhaji from Swig features a vibrant mix of mashed spiced vegetables including potatoes, tomatoes, and peas, served piping hot with buttery toasted pav buns, garnished with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon for a flavorful and colorful street food experience.
Equipments
- Large skillet or pan
- Potato masher
- Chopping board
- Knife
- Spatula
- Mixing bowl
- Small serving bowls (for garnishes)
- Tongs (for pav buns)
- Lemon squeezer
- Plate or tray (for serving)
Ingredients
- 3 large potatoes
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, cauliflower, green beans)
- 1 cup green peas
- 3 large tomatoes
- 1 large onion
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 2-3 green chilies
- 2 tablespoons pav bhaji masala
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons oil
- Salt
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 lemon
- 8 pav buns
- 2 tablespoons butter (for toasting pav buns)
- 1 small red onion (for garnish)
When preparing pav bhaji, selecting fresh and firm potatoes is crucial for achieving the perfect mashed texture, while ripe tomatoes enhance the dish's natural sweetness and tanginess. Using a blend of mixed vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, and green beans ensures a balanced flavor profile and nutritional value, complemented by the distinctive aroma of pav bhaji masala and freshly chopped cilantro. Butter plays a key role in enriching the gravy, so using high-quality butter can significantly elevate the dish's taste. Be cautious with green chilies and red chili powder to adjust the spice level according to your preference without overpowering the other flavors. Your preparation will closely mirror the Swig pav bhaji copycat menu by incorporating these authentic ingredients and spices for an irresistible street food experience.
Instructions
- Instructions:
- Wash, peel, and chop all vegetables: potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, tomatoes, onions, green bell pepper.
- Slit green chilies and finely chop for use.
- Boil potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, and green peas until soft.
- Mash the boiled vegetables using a potato masher.
- Heat oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet or pan.
- Add cumin seeds and allow them to splutter.
- Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent.
- Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell disappears.
- Add chopped green chilies and green bell pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add chopped tomatoes and cook until soft and mushy.
- Add pav bhaji masala, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Add mashed vegetables to the pan.
- Mix everything thoroughly and mash further for a smooth texture.
- Cook the mixture on medium flame, adding water as needed for desired consistency.
- Add 1 tablespoon butter, mix well, and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- Chop fresh cilantro leaves and small red onion for garnish.
- Cut pav buns horizontally. Heat a skillet, add butter, and toast buns using tongs until golden and crisp on both sides.
- Transfer bhaji to a serving bowl, garnish with cilantro, chopped red onion, and a lemon wedge.
- Squeeze lemon over bhaji if desired.
- Serve hot with butter-toasted pav buns on a plate or tray.
Substitution
Pav Bhaji from Swig recreates the popular street food with a rich blend of mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, and traditional spices served with buttery toasted pav buns. If you can't find pav bhaji masala, a mix of garam masala, coriander powder, and amchur powder can work as a substitute. You can use frozen mixed vegetables instead of fresh to save preparation time without compromising flavor. Butter can be replaced with oil or ghee depending on your dietary preferences, but butter gives the authentic rich taste. When toasting the pav buns, keep an eye to avoid burning, ensuring they remain soft on the inside and crispy outside for the perfect bite.
Tips
Ensure all vegetables are chopped uniformly to achieve even cooking and a consistent texture in the bhaji. When sauteing spices and aromatics like cumin seeds, onions, and ginger-garlic paste, cook until fragrant and translucent to build layers of flavor essential for authentic pav bhaji. Use a potato masher directly in the pan to mash the vegetables gradually, adjusting water for the perfect thick yet moist consistency. Toast the pav buns in butter just before serving to keep them warm and crisp, complementing the rich and spicy vegetable mash on your plate.
Nutritions
Pav Bhaji from Swig provides a nutrient-rich meal combining the fiber and vitamins from potatoes, tomatoes, peas, and mixed vegetables with the energy-boosting carbohydrates found in the buttery toasted pav buns. The inclusion of spices like turmeric and cumin seeds adds antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, while fresh cilantro and lemon enhance vitamin C content. Your dish also delivers protein from green peas and healthy fats from butter and oil, contributing to a balanced intake. This flavorful street food offers a well-rounded combination of macronutrients and micronutrients suitable for a satisfying meal.
Storage
Store Pav Bhaji in an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth. The buttery toasted pav buns should be kept separately in a sealed bag at room temperature to preserve their crispness. When reheating, warm the bhaji gently on the stove to retain its vibrant flavors and toast the pav buns again for a fresh, satisfying texture.
Variation or Alternatives
You can substitute green peas with chickpeas or black-eyed peas for a different texture and protein boost. Try roasting the vegetables before boiling to add a smoky depth to the pav bhaji. For a creamier consistency, stir in a splash of cream or coconut milk towards the end of cooking. Toast the pav buns with a sprinkle of garlic butter and a pinch of chaat masala for an extra flavorful twist.
Allergies
Pav Bhaji contains common allergens such as dairy from the butter used both in the bhaji preparation and toasting the pav buns, which may cause reactions for those with lactose intolerance or milk allergies. The mix of spices like ginger-garlic paste, green chilies, and pav bhaji masala could trigger sensitivities or allergic responses in individuals prone to spice allergies. Your careful consideration is important if you have any known allergies to these ingredients before enjoying this flavorful dish.
Why this recipe?
Swig restaurant's Pav Bhaji menu is celebrated for its rich, flavorful blend of fresh vegetables and aromatic spices, delivering an authentic Mumbai street food experience. The perfectly buttery and toasted pav complements the thick, spicy bhaji, creating a satisfying balance that keeps customers coming back. You'll find the use of high-quality ingredients and traditional cooking techniques make it a standout dish worth trying at home. Recreating this Pav Bhaji allows you to enjoy restaurant-quality taste with the convenience and customization of your own kitchen.