"KEEP CALM & EAT PAV BHAJI"
Can you imagine how a mixture of veggies and simple bread actually turn out to be so scrumptious!! For those who already have guessed, it's the famous 'Pav bhaji ' we all know!
Pav bhaji is an iconic dish from Mumbai and hugely popular all over India. The 'bhaji' is basically a thick gravy & a mixture of leftover veggies, the type of veggies varied based on season and availability but generally including cauliflower, peas, potato, and carrots with the addition of spices. Whereas 'Pav ' is bread served hot, buttered, and sauteed. It was more like a meal but available at the price of a snack dish. Since both the bhaji (vegetable gravy) and pav are served together, hence the name ‘Pav bhaji‘
The whole invention of Pav Bhaji is as compelling as the dish itself. With the dawn of the American Civil War (from 1861 to 1865), a sharp rise in the global demand for cotton supply saw Indian mills attract gargantuan orders. Meeting them meant backbreaking work around the clock for textile mill workers in the island city of Mumbai. So much so, they hardly had time to feed themselves. In this scenario, there was a dire need for a snack that would be quick to prepare, eat, and light on the pocket too. The answer came in the form of pav bhaji by local vendors who stood outside the gates of these mills and sold them plate by plate for a few paise.
Essentially a thick curry made by mashing leftover vegetables, (major tomatoes for puree and boiled potatoes for the base), the dish soon became a crowd favorite. Surpassing the era of mills in the city, pav bhaji now finds its rightful place on restaurant menus—from local nukkads to five-star ones.
To make a healthy version of Pav Bhaji, occasionally Potatoes are replaced with raw Bananas. You can also add various vegetables such as green beans, brinjal, bottle gourd, and spinach to enhance the taste and nutritional value of Pav Bhaji. Vegetables used in preparing Pav Bhaji are low fat and low on calories. The vegetables used in the preparation of Pav Bhaji are vital sources of nutrients such as sodium, potassium, fiber, folic acid, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Onion contains Sulphur which helps in detoxification of the body and promotes liver health.
But I won't really recommend that! Its a Street snack and made for your tastebuds to savor spicy masala, lemony buttery rich taste filling your tummy with a wide happy smile on your face! so its better if we forget the calorie part for a moment and dive into this delectable snack!
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