Instant Pot Pav Bhaji Recipe - Quick and Easy

Instant Pot Pav Bhaji recipe is a quick and easy way to make this popular Indian street food at home. With the help of your Instant Pot

Pav Bhaji Recipe Instant Pot 

This Instant Pot Pav Bhaji recipe is a quick and easy way to make this popular Indian street food at home. With the help of your Instant Pot, you can have this delicious and flavorful dish ready in no time. Follow our step-by-step recipe and enjoy the authentic taste of Mumbai's famous street food. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend brunch, this Pav Bhaji recipe will surely impress your family and friends.

Pav Bhaji Recipe

About Pav Bhaji

Pav Bhaji is a popular street food in India, particularly in the western state of Maharashtra. It consists of a spicy vegetable curry made with mashed potatoes, tomatoes, onions, peas, and a blend of fragrant spices such as cumin, coriander, and turmeric. The dish is served hot with a soft buttered bread roll called Pav that is toasted on a griddle, along with a generous dollop of butter. It is garnished with finely chopped onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. Pav Bhaji is a flavorful and filling meal that is enjoyed by people of all ages and is a favorite among vegetarians.

Origin Of Pav Bhaji

The origin of Pav Bhaji can be traced back to the 1850s in the bustling city of Mumbai, India, which was then known as Bombay. The city was a hub of trade and commerce, and workers from different parts of India migrated to Mumbai in search of employment. As a result, a unique blend of cultures and cuisines emerged in the city.

Pav Bhaji was invented by street vendors who wanted to create a filling and inexpensive meal for textile mill workers in Mumbai. They combined leftover vegetables and mashed them with spices and butter, serving the mixture with soft bread rolls called Pav. The dish quickly became popular among the working class and soon became a staple in Mumbai's street food scene.

Over time, Pav Bhaji gained widespread popularity and became a beloved snack not just in Mumbai but throughout India. Today, it is a must-try street food for anyone visiting Mumbai and is also served in many restaurants and fast-food chains across the country.

Select Pav and Vegetable for Pav Bhaji

Pav:

Look for a soft and fresh Pav that is not too dense or hard.

Check the packaging date to ensure that the Pav is not stale.

Avoid Pav that has a lot of cracks or is discolored.

Vegetables:

Use fresh and ripe tomatoes for the Bhaji as they add a natural sweetness and tanginess to the dish.

Choose potatoes that are firm and not too large, as they cook faster and will blend well with other vegetables.

Peas should be green, plump, and firm to the touch.

Cauliflower and capsicum should be fresh and firm, without any blemishes or discoloration.

Onions should be fresh and firm, without any signs of mold or sprouting.

In summary, choosing fresh and good-quality Pav and vegetables is key to making a delicious Pav Bhaji.

Instant Pot Pav Bhaji Recipe

• Preparation time: 15 minutes
• Cooking time: 15 minutes
• Serves: 4
• Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed vegetables (potatoes, carrots, peas, cauliflower)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 tsp garlic paste
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder (optional)
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Pav buns, for serving

Instructions:

1. Add the mixed vegetables to the Instant Pot along with 1 cup of water. Close the lid and set the valve to sealing position.
2. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. When the cooking time is up, do a quick pressure release by turning the valve to venting position.
3. Using an immersion blender, blend the vegetables until smooth.
4. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and add butter.
5. Once the butter is melted, add onion, green bell pepper, ginger paste, and garlic paste. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions are translucent.
6. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, red chili powder (if using), and salt to taste. Mix well and sauté for another 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes are soft.
7. Add the blended vegetable mixture and mix well. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the pav bhaji is heated through.
8. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot with pav buns and lemon wedges.
9. Enjoy your homemade Instant Pot Pav Bhaji!

Nutritional Value of Pav Bhaji

Here is the approximate nutritional value of one serving (200-250 grams).

• Calories: 250-300
• Total fat: 12-15 grams
• Saturated fat: 6-8 grams
• Trans fat: 0 grams
• Cholesterol: 20-25 milligrams
• Sodium: 600-700 milligrams
• Total Carbohydrates: 30-35 grams
• Dietary fiber: 5-6 grams
• Sugars: 6-8 grams
• Protein: 5-6 grams

Note that the nutritional value may vary based on the specific recipe and the ingredients used. Additionally, the values above are based on an estimate and may not be entirely accurate.

Some tips that can help you when making Pav Bhaji

Use fresh and good quality vegetables for the Bhaji to get the best taste and texture.

Mash the vegetables thoroughly to get a smooth and creamy consistency for the Bhaji.

Adjust the spices according to your taste preferences. You can add more or less spice as per your liking.

Add butter generously to the Bhaji to give it a rich and creamy texture.

Toast the Pav bread rolls with butter until they are lightly browned and crispy on the outside.

Serve the Pav Bhaji hot and fresh with lemon wedges and chopped onions.

You can also top the Bhaji with grated cheese, chopped coriander leaves, and a dollop of butter for added flavor.

If you want to make the Bhaji in advance, you can refrigerate it and reheat it in a pan or microwave before serving.

By following these tips, you can make a delicious and authentic Pav Bhaji that your family and friends will love.

Interesting Facts and Stories of Pav Bhaji

Pav Bhaji was invented in Mumbai in the 1850s as a fast lunchtime dish for textile mill workers.

It is said that the dish was created by street vendors who used leftover vegetables from the previous day and mashed them together to make a quick and easy meal.

The name is Pav Bhaji comes from the two main components of the dish - Pav, which is a soft bread roll, and Bhaji, which is a spicy vegetable curry.

The dish became popular among the masses in Mumbai in the 1960s and 1970s and soon became a staple street food in the city.

Pav Bhaji is now popular all over India and is often served as a snack or a meal at home, in restaurants, and at street food stalls.

In some parts of India, Pav Bhaji is served with a side of sliced onions and a wedge of lemon, which are used to add extra flavor and freshness to the dish.

Pav Bhaji is often eaten with a cold beverage such as a soft drink, lassi, or a sweet lime soda to balance out the heat of the spicy curry.

In recent years, there have been many variations of the dish, such as cheese Pav Bhaji, mushroom Pav Bhaji, and Jain Pav Bhaji (which is made without onions and garlic).

Overall, Pav Bhaji is a beloved Indian street food that has a rich history and continues to be enjoyed by millions of people around the world.