Pav Bhaji: Buttery Mashed Vegetable Curry

A smooth, spiced vegetable mash bound with a generous amount of melted butter. The white bread, toasted until golden brown, acts as a scoop for this rich and fragrant mixture.

• Prep time: 20 min
• Cook time: 40 min
• Difficulty: Easy
• Calories: 584
• Protein: 13 g
• Carbs: 72 g
• Fat: 24 g

Ingredients

• 400 g Potato ( peeled and diced )
• 200 g Cauliflower ( in small florets )
• 100 g Green peas ( shelled )
• 100 g Minimum butter sweet ( cold )
• 2 piece Red onion ( finely chopped )
• 3 piece Garlic ( cloves pressed )
• 1 tsp Ginger ground
• 3 piece Round tomato ( diced )
• 1 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp kashmiri chili
• 1 piece Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. ( juiced )
• 0.5 piece Fresh cilantro ( chopped )
• 4 piece White bread ( small buns halved )
• 1 pinch Gray sea salt
• 2 tbsp Pav Bhaji Masala ( spice mix )

Instructions

1. Steaming the vegetables

   In a pot of boiling salted water, add the potatoes, cauliflower, and peas. Cook until a knife tip sinks in like butter.

2. Aromatic base

   Melt a generous knob of butter. Sauté the chopped red onions. When translucent, add the pressed garlic, ginger, and diced tomatoes. Let it simmer until the fat separates from the pulp.

3. Mashing and spices

   Incorporate the cooked vegetables into the tomato base. Add the turmeric, chili, pav bhaji masala, and salt. Mash everything with a potato masher directly in the pan. The texture should be smooth but thick, coating the spoon.

4. Butter finish

   Add a final dose of butter and the lemon juice. Mix well to achieve a brilliant shine. Keep warm over very low heat.

5. Toasting the pav

   Cut the white bread in half. Brown it in a pan with butter until the crumb is crispy and well-colored. Serve with freshly chopped cilantro on the curry.

Chef's tips

• Don't be afraid of the butter; it's what gives the curry its silky, glossy texture.
• If the mash becomes too thick while crushing, loosen it with a bit of the vegetable cooking water.

Storage

The curry keeps for 3 days in the fridge. Reheat over low heat with a splash of water and a knob of butter to restore its creaminess.