Recipe Cooked, Photographed and Written by Praveena
PrepTime:15 mins CookTime:15 mins Cuisine: Indian
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I prepare this combo at least once in a month, as we all in our family enjoy eating this to the core. Last Friday, I wanted to surprise my kids, presenting pav-bhaji in a distinct manner.
So, here I came up this idea of ‘boat house’. In the afternoon, when my 3 kids were back from school, they were thrilled to see their favourite pav-bhaji presented like this on the dining table.
I felt so so happy seeing at their excellent expressions. My heart felt contended after they heartily enjoyed the meal.

Table of Contents:
- What is ‘PAV BHAJI’:
- Possible Alterations for the recipe, ‘Pav Bhaji’:
- Other recipes from my blog:
- Step Wise Pics Procedure for ‘Pav Bhaji’:
- To pan fry the PAVS:
- Stove Top Method Pav Bhaji:
- Instant Pot Method Pav Bhaji:
- Tips:
- Result:
- Ingredients, Accessories on ‘AMAZON’ to ‘SHOP’:
- Recipe Card & Print:

What is ‘PAV BHAJI’:
Pav-Bhaji is the most common street food in North India . But now-a-days it has become the common street food / restaurant food not only in entire India even across the globe where Indians reside. That’s the magical taste of this cute pair Pav & Bhaji has.
Here, Pav means bun, and bhaji means the curry which is specifically made for this pair (in Hindi).
This combo can be eaten as a starter in parties, for brunch on lazy weekends, or as an evening snack or as a meal for dinner.

Possible Alterations for the recipe, ‘Pav Bhaji’:
To avoid Onion & Garlic: Do not add them, instead you can add same quantity of finely chopped white cabbage. This gives that crunchy texture just as onion.
Avoiding adding food colour: You might use a tablespoon of beetroot juice (or) finely chopped beetroot pieces to get that natural red colour to the dish.
Other vegetables to add: The general vegetables that can be added are Green peas, cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, potatoes, French green beans. Not preferred to add any other vegetables.
Stove Top Pressure Cooker Method: Just follow the same recipe as the Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker method. Pressure cook for 3 whistles.

Other recipes from my blog:
Before starting to cook, don’t forget to see the Tips mentioned in the end.
Starters / Appetisers collection⇒ Starters / Snacks
Dessert recipes collection⇒ Desserts / Mithayi
Drinks recipes here⇒ Drink / Beverage
Instant Pot recipes collection⇒ Electric Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Recipes
Related Posts:
- Chana Papdi Chaat with Doritos
- Curried Green Wrap / Indian Curry Wrap
- Mexican Tacos with Chana-Aloo Chat / Chickpeas-Potato Salad
- Avocado – Mango Salsa & Tacos ( No Oil)
- Sweet Potato & Spring Onion Sandwich
- Lettuce wraps with Sweet Corn-Pomegranate Salad / Kosambari
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Ingredients :
- Potatoes – 4 to 5 (medium size)
- Onions – 3 (medium size)
- Tomatoes – 3 (large)
- Other vegetables – 1 cup (chopped)
- Coriander Leaves (chopped) – ½ cup
- Green Chillies – 3
- Cooking oil – 5 tablespoons
- Water – required for boiling
- Butter – (2 tablespoon + enough to smear on pav / bun)
Spice Powders:
- Salt – 2 teaspoon or as per taste
- Turmeric Powder – ½ teaspoon
- Ginger Garlic – 1 tablespoon (chopped/paste)
- Kasuri Methi / Dried Methi – ½ tablespoon
- Red Chilli Powder – 1 teaspoon
- Pav bhaji Masala Powder – 1 tablespoon
- Red Food colour – ½ teaspoon
Special Ingredients:
- Kasuri Methi

Step Wise Pics Procedure for ‘Pav Bhaji’:
To pan fry the PAVS:
- Now for the pavs, take a pan ,put it on stove top under medium flame.
- Then add ½ teaspoon of butter.
- When butter melts rub the pavs/buns over the butter and pan fry them until they turn golden brown.
- Repeat the same for the other side of the pavs/buns also. Done!!
Stove Top Method Pav Bhaji:
Prep Work:
- Get the vegetables boiled.
- Next get the onions chopped very finely.
- Cut the tomatoes into chunks.
- Take the tomatoes, green chillies and ginger into the blender.
- Make them into fine puree.
Cooking:








Close the pan with lid for 2-3 mins.

Instant Pot Method Pav Bhaji:
Use all the vegetables raw, you need not boil/cook them before hand. This is a one-pot method of making Pav Bhaji.







Tips:
- You can add Ginger-garlic paste instead of chopped ginger-garlic (which I did).
- Cook the vegetables to the extent that they can be easily mashed later.
- While adding the kasuir methi / dry methi rub it against your palms and then drop it into the pan.
- In case you are using red food colour powder, Add it to enough water and mix well. Only then you can add it to the pan.
- While serving the bhaji garnish it with more chopped coriander and then add a blob of butter at the centre.
Result:
- Heavenly! is the one word I can use to tell about the taste of Pav-Bhaji!!
- The pic below shows exactly how pav-bhaji is served in any restaurant or on a street side shop.
- Its a three pockets plate with bhaji (curry) having major portion with a blob of butter, the pavs (buns) in one pocket and finely chopped onions in other pocket.
- Green chillies are optional but lemon piece is a must to squeeze it up over the bhaji or curry which enhances the taste of the whole combination.

Ingredients, Accessories on ‘AMAZON’ to ‘SHOP’:
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Recipe Card & Print:

Pav Bhaji (Stove Top, Instant Pot Methods)
Equipment
- WOK / Frying pan (for stove-top method)
- Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker (for IP method)
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 count Potatoes (medium size)
- 3 count Onions (medium size)
- 3 count Tomatoes (large)
- 1 cup Other vegetables
- ½ cup Coriander Leaves (chopped)
- 3 count Green Chillies
- 5 tablespoons Cooking oil
- as required Water (required for boiling)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (+ enough to smear on pav / bun)
Spice Powders:
- 2 teaspoons Salt (or as per taste)
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1 tablespoon Ginger Garlic (chopped)
- ½ tablespoon Kasuri Methi / Dried Methi
- 1 tablespoon Pav Bhaji Masala Powder
- 2 teaspoons Red Chilli Powder
- ½ teaspoon Red Food colour (optional)
Instructions
To pan fry the PAVS:
- Now for the pavs, take a pan ,put it on stove top under medium flame. Then add 1 teaspoon of butter. When butter melts rub the pavs/buns over the butter and pan fry them until they turn golden brown on both sides. Repeat the same for the other side of the pavs/buns also. Done!!
Stove Top Method Pav Bhaji:
- Put a wide pan on stove top under medium flame. Add the oil, when its hot, add ¾ of the chopped onions. Let the onions get transparent.
- Add the tomato puree. Mix everything, let the puree cook for 2 mins. Then to the pan add all these>> kasuri methi , salt, red chilli powder, turmeric powder and pav bhaji masala powder. Mix everything and let it cook until oil separates.
- This makes all the veggies to attain the flavours of spice powders perfectly. After 2-3 mins open the lid, mix up everything. Switch off the flame, transfer it into serving dish. Done!
Instant Pot Method Pav Bhaji:
Use all the vegetables raw, you need not boil/cook them before hand. This is a one-pot method of making Pav Bhaji.
- Switch the Instant Pot ON. Select MODE to SAUTE, time to 10 mins. Add oil, heat it. Then, add chopped onions, fry them until transparent.
- Now add all these>> tomato cubes, ginger garlic (chopped/paste), slit green chillies. Give a mix. Let it fry until the oil separates.
- Next, add all the potato cubes, other vegetables you wish to add. Pour water till they soak. Close the IP lid, set MODE to PRESSURE COOK, time to 5 MIN, valve to SEALING.
- Later when the timer is OFF the IP beeps. Let the pressure release naturally (NPR), open the lid. Using a masher / hand blender mash half of the content.
- Switch the gadget ON, set to SAUTE MODE for 2 MINS. Let it thicken to your desired consistency. Add a tablespoon of butter and chopped coriander leaves. Done.
Notes
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Wow ! Your photos making my mouth water !!
Oh! 🙂 Thanks for that.
Beautiful presentation!
Thanks a lot! 🙂