Masala Pav

How to make Masala Pav

Preparation

1. First slice 4 to 5 pav or dinner rolls into equal halves and set aside. Here I have used homemade whole wheat dinner rolls.

2. Rinse and finely chop 1 medium onion (⅓ cup finely chopped onions) 2 medium tomatoes (1 cup finely chopped tomatoes) and 1 medium capsicum a.k.a green bell pepper (½ cup finely chopped capsicum).

Also, crush 3 to 4 medium garlic cloves, ½ inch ginger and 1 to 2 green chilies to a paste in a mortar-pestle. Keep aside.

Make Masala

3. Now, take a medium or large sized tawa/skillet or a shallow frying pan. Melt 2 tablespoons butter on it. You can also use oil instead of butter.

4. Add ½ teaspoon cumin seeds and let them splutter on medium-low to medium heat.

5. Then, add the crushed ginger-garlic-green chilies paste.

6. Stir and sauté for a few seconds until the raw aroma of ginger and garlic goes away.

7. Add the finely chopped onions.

8. Stir and mix well.

9. Sauté the onions till they turn translucent and soften.

10. Add finely chopped tomatoes.

11. Stir and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes on medium-low to medium heat.

12. Next add ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder, ½ teaspoon red chili powder and 3 to 4 teaspoons Pav Bhaji Masala.

You can add the pav bhaji masala according to your taste preferences.

13. Stir and mix the spice powders evenly with the sautéed onion-tomato mixture.

14. Now, add the finely chopped capsicum (bell pepper).

15. Sauté for 2 minutes.

16. Season with salt as required. Stir to combine.

17. Add ⅓ cup of water.

18. Bring the mixture to a simmer on medium-low to medium heat. Adding water softens and cooks the tomatoes very well.

19. The mixture will thicken and reduce as it simmers.

20. Reduce the heat to low and let the masala come to the consistency as shown in the picture below. There should not be a lot of liquids in the masala, as then this will make the pav soggy.

21. Bring the masala to one side of the tawa or pan.

Make Masala Pav

22. Melt 1 to 2 tablespoons butter on the empty space in the tawa or pan or skillet.

If you prefer you can use another frying pan or skillet to toast the pav or dinner rolls.

23. Place the pav slices on the butter. Toast them lightly or you can just let them absorb the butter. You can toast more also if you want.

24. Turn over and toast the other side. If you want you can add more butter.

25. Now, place the masala evenly on the pav with the spoon or spatula.

26. Masala Pav is ready to be served. In the same place, melt some more butter and toast the other pav, till all the masala is used up.

27. Place the Masala Pav on a serving plate.

28. Garnish with finely chopped onions, coriander leaves and lemon wedges. Serve Masala Pav hot.

Squeeze some lemon on it and savor them with your family of friends. You can also sprinkle some fine sev or grated cheese on the Masala Pav.