Pao Bhaji- Pav Bhaji Recipe

Ingredients

For The Chilli-garlic Paste

(makes Approx. 1/2 Cup)
5 to 6 whole dry kashmiri red chillies , deseeded
8 to 10 clove garlic(lehsun), roughly chopped

For The Bhaji
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp oil
1 tbsp cumin seeds (jeera)
3/4 cup finely chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped capsicum
1 1/2 cups finely chopped tomatoes
1 1/2 tbsp pav bhaji masala
2 tsp chilli powder
salt to taste
1/2 cup boiled and lightly mashed green peas
1 1/2 cups boiled , peeled and mashed potatoes
2 tbsp finely chopped coriander (dhania)

For The Pav
8 ladi pav
8 tsp butter for cooking
1 tsp pav bhaji masala

For Serving
1 cup finely chopped onions
4 lemon wedges
4 roasted papad
4 tsp butter

For The Garnish
4 tbsp chopped coriander (dhania)
Method
For the chilli-garlic paste
Soak the red chillies in enough warm water for atleast an hour.
Drain the chillies, add the garlic and blend in a mixer till smooth, adding little water. Keep aside.

For the bhaji
Heat the butter and oil in a kadhai and add the cumin seeds.
When the seeds crackle, add the chilli-garlic paste and sauté on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes.
Add the onions and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
Add the capsicum and sauté for 1 more minute.
Add the tomatoes and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, mash well using a potato masher.
Add the salt, pav bhaji masala, chilli powder and cook for another 2 minutes.
Add the green peas, potatoes, mix well and cook along with 1/3 cup of water for 1 to 2 minutes, while mashing it with the help of a masher.
Add the coriander, mix well and cook for 1 minute.

For the pav
Slit 2 pavs vertically and keep aside.
Heat a large tava, add 2 tsp of butter and slit open the pavs and place on it.
Cook on a medium flame till they turn light brown and crisp on both the sides. (add more butter if required).

How to serve
Place ¼th of hot bhaji, 2 pavs, ¼ cup of onions, a lemon wedge and a papad on a plate.
Top the bhaji with 1 tsp of butter and serve immediately garnished with 1 tsp of coriander.
Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 3 more plates.