Pav Bhaji, Once a Poor Man’s Meal, is now one of the most sought-after dish in each vegetarian household.
There were times when mom found a tough time making us eat vegetables, with my sister being a fussy eater. She found this humble Bhaji the best way, using almost all the vegetables in her kitchen and then a big dollop of butter which I could see melting down the bun.
We happily thought that we have been on a treat, least did we know that it was our dose of carotenes and vitamins been fed in a disguise. But who is complaining?
Pav Bhaji is called a poor man’s meal as it carried all the vegetables dunked in butterfat and served with Pav. Served all across Mumbai, Maharashtra, on Carats, One can see fumes of sizzling butter on large Tawa ( Girdle) and crowd encircling the cart for that one divine bite of Pav Bahji.
Though a special bun is available in Maharashtra and many adjoining states, is called Ladi Pav is much softer and smaller than the regular Pav available here around in Delhi, I have all my life been eating the Bun available here. While in Mumbai, Realised the difference in flavour and texture of what is served there.
The method of making Bhaji also differs from household to household. While it is much garlicky in Maharastra style. Mom made it just with tomatoes all her life, as we were no onion no garlic household. I picked up garlic chilli recipe from my aunts and then refined it to my taste.
Mom used to make her own Pav Bhaji masala, and this spoilt us for choice, as I also never used store-bought masala, though I have tasted it many times at friends’ place. In a Homemade masala, one can fine-tune the chili content and keep the mango powder in control ( I am allergic to the sourness provided by Dry Mango Powder). This recipe has a spice mix recipe, which can be used to make your own homemade spice mix, which can be stored in an airtight container, for up to two months, or beyond depending on weather conditions.
The butter plays a major role in bringing true flavours of Pav Bhaji. I suggest liberal use butter in Bhaji, and while toasting the buns. Still, remember mom putting that extra dollop on my bhaji, And I would happily smear my bun, in the melting butter along with that super delicious bhaji.
