Ingredients:
For Chili-Garlic Paste:
3–4 dry red chilies (soak for 10 minutes if needed)
6–7 garlic cloves
Water, as needed to blend
For Masala:
2 teaspoon oil
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon chopped ginger
2–3 green chilies, chopped
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
2 medium onions, finely chopped
1 capsicum, finely chopped
2 tomatoes, finely chopped
Salt to taste
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon pav bhaji masala
2 teaspoon prepared chili-garlic paste
2 tablespoon chopped coriander
For Assembly:
4 pav (buns)
2 teaspoon butter (for toasting)
1 pinch pav bhaji masala
1 teaspoon chili-garlic paste
Prepared masala (from above)
4 cheese slices
Chopped coriander (for garnish)
Directions:
- Blend soaked red chilies, garlic, and a little water into a smooth, thick paste. Keep aside.
- Heat oil and butter in a pan. Add cumin seeds, ginger, green chilies, and garlic. Sauté until fragrant.
- Add chopped onions, capsicum, and tomatoes. Cover and cook for 5 minutes on medium flame.
- Add salt, turmeric, garam masala, pav bhaji masala, and 2 teaspoons of the prepared chili-garlic paste. Mix well and cook for 2–3 minutes. Finish with chopped coriander.
- Heat a tawa and add butter, a pinch of pav bhaji masala, a little chili-garlic paste, and some of the prepared masala.
- Slice pav and toss both sides on the tawa so they soak up the masala.
- Sprinkle fresh coriander and place cheese slices inside each pav. Allow the cheese to slightly melt.
- Serve hot with an extra pat of butter on top for that irresistible street-style finish.