Baked Pav Bhaji is a creative twist on Mumbai's beloved street food, combining spiced mashed vegetables (bhaji) with toasted, buttery bread (pav) in a delightful baked avatar. The bhaji teems with potatoes, peas, and beans, lusciously seasoned with Sunrise Pav Bhaji Masala and green chillies. Layered with cheese slices, then baked to perfection, this dish is a riot of textures and flavours.
Sunrise tip: For a Bengali flair, add a dollop of kasundi (pungent mustard sauce) to the bhaji while cooking the vegetables.
Time: 20 minutes
Heat butter in a deep pan. Sauté finely chopped onions until golden. Stir in tomatoes; cook until pulpy.
Mix in salt to taste, Sunrise Pav Bhaji Masala, Sunrise Turmeric powder, Sunrise Red Chilli powder, and some water. Cook for a few minutes.
Add finely chopped green chillies, chopped coriander leaves, some water and cook until fragrant.
Mix in chopped carrot, chopped beans, green peas, boiled and mashed potatoes, cauliflower, and sugar. Pour in some water and cook for 5 minutes, mashing occasionally.
Keep it aside in a baking dish. Add fresh cream on top of the masala and cover it with cheese slices.
Time: 15 minutes
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Bake the bhaji for 15 minutes until bubbling and browned on top.
Time: 10 minutes
Toast bread slices in butter until crisp.
Take out the baking dish and layer the bhaji in the baking dish with toasted bread slices.
Sprinkle oregano on top and serve hot with the toasted pav and lemon wedges on the side.
Accompaniment: Kachumber salad or onion rings with lime wedges
Beverage: Iced masala chai or fresh lime soda