Sunday, September 8, 2019

Veggie Sloppy Joes Indian Style - Quick Pav Bhaji

Veggie Sloppy Joes aka Quick Pav Bhaji is a melange of vegetables that may be mashed well or left  a bit chunky. It is as nutritious as it is delicious.

Traditionally Pav Bhaji is served over toasted and butter-slathered soft buns specially made for this dish; you may use any buns, bread slices, flat breads, pita, or tortillas.

Pav Bhaji Masala is readily available in Indian Markets. If Pav Bhaji masala is not handy, no worries. Here's the recipe for it.  

Pav Bhaji Masala/Spice Mix:

1 Tbsp Coriander seeds
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
1/2 tsp Fennel seeds
1" piece Cinnamon stick
1 black Cardamom, use seeds only
1 tsp Black Pepper
3 Cloves
1dry Red Chile
1 tsp Aamchoor (Dry Mango Powder)

Combine and grind the above spices to a fine powder. If you like, the spices except the Dry Mango Powder maybe very lightly toasted first, cooled, and then ground. Store in a small clean airtight jar.

Veggie Sloppy Joe/Pav Bhaji:

1 Onion, peeled and chopped fine
2-4 tsp Ginger, minced
1 Green Chile, minced
1/2 tsp Turmeric
1 Tbsp Pav Bhaji Masala (spice mix)
1 large Tomato, chopped
1 large Potato, cut into small cubes
1 Carrot, diced small
1/4 small Cauliflower, small florets
Handful of Green Beans, thinly sliced
1 Bell Pepper, finely chopped
1 cup Peas, fresh or frozen
1-2 pinches Black Salt (optional)
Salt to taste
1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro, finely chopped

To Serve:
Gluten free or Regular Buns/Bread, toasted
Vegan Butter
Chopped Red Onions
Chopped fresh Cilantro
Lemon/Lime wedges 
Chaat Masala

Method:

Cook the onion, ginger, and green chile with the turmeric and a pinch of salt in a large pan with cover over medium heat; sprinkle water as needed to keep the veggies from drying out or scorching.

Stir in the spice mix and tomoato and cook until the tomato softens - about 2-3 minutes.

Add potatoes, carrots and cauliflower with about 1/4 cup of water, black salt if using, and a couple of generous pinches of salt. Cook for about 10 minutes stirring occassionally adding sprinkles of water if needed.

Stir in the bell pepper, green beans and peas. Cook for about 7-8 minutes or until veggies reach desired tenderness.

Mash the veggies with a potato masher or the back of the spoon until coarsely mashed. 

Taste and adjust the seasonings. Stir in the cilantro.

Serve hot over freshly toasted and buttered buns or toast. Pass bowls of onions, cilantro, lemon/lime wedges and chaat masala etc. for topping.

Enjoy!!

No comments: