Pav-Bhaji

Since the past few days my children have been continuously complaining about the food. The reason behind this was my illness and the new cook’s experimentation on their favourite dishes. That’s why they switched to other easier (junkier!) options.

Junk food cravings can be quite bothersome. Not only does the continuous consumption of foods rich in fats, salt and sugar wreck havoc on your body, it also doesn’t satisfy your hunger; not really because the energy content of these food items is pretty low, as is the nutrition content so while you may feel full, you are not energized and end up feeling lethargic and sluggish.

But who doesn’t love a little junk now and then? The kids especially are perticularly fond of such food items so I try to make them at home itself with a healthier twist. I also opt for dishes which have nutritious ingredients and lower fat content.

For instance, for the sunday special breakfast I made spicy bhaji with buns (pav) and some sweet warm jalebi and yoghurt. Needless to say, it was a hit with the family.

So I arrived on the conclusion that inspite of the stuff or ingredients; everything that was available in the kitchen, one thing was missing…me.

A mother knows the needs of her family and what’s best for them. She is the axle of the wheel of the family.

So I am back guys, after a long period and trust me I won’t disappoint you… I will post some healthy and interesting recipes and stories on my blog soon for you!!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kg boiled and peeled potatoes
• One large chopped capsicum
• One large chopped onion
• 8-10 peeled garlic cloves
• 1/2 inch peeled ginger
• 4-5 green chillies
• 200 gms finely chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp Pav-Bhaji masala or sabzi masala(garam masala powder)
• 1tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 lemon juice
• Chopped few sprigs of fresh mint leaves
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt to taste
• Pav ( buns)

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Method:

1. Mash the potatoes and keep it aside.
2. Heat a heavy bottom pot and put half of the butter and sauté onions.
3. Grind garlic, ginger and green chillies into a smooth paste and add it to the onions and keep sauteing till oil seperates. Then add red chili powder pav-bhaji masala and mix well.
4. Then add tomatoes and a glass of water. Cover the pot with lid and cook for about five minutes on low flame till the tomatoes soften. Then add capsicum.
5. Add potatoes and salt and cook the bhaji for another five minutes on low flame.
7. Add lemon juice, mint leaves and mix well then take the pot off the flame.
8. Heat a non-stick flat pan or tava, apply some butter over it and roast the pav or bun.
9. Top the bhaji with a dollop of butter and garnish with green chillies and mint leaves.
10. Serve hot with pav and enjoy.
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