7 Street Food Recipes India Loves (Made Safer)

2. Pav Bhaji — Veg Mash with Safer Veg Prep (Prep 40–50 min)

Pav Bhaji is comfort in a bowl: mashed seasoned vegetables served with buttered bread. To make it safer at home, start by washing vegetables thoroughly and chopping them into even pieces for fast, complete cooking. Boil or steam potatoes, cauliflower, peas and carrots until soft; this lowers the chance of undercooked pockets. Use a hot, covered pan for the bhaji so it stays piping hot and cooks evenly. If you want a lighter version, cut back on the finishing butter or use a small knob of ghee for authentic aroma without excess oil. Serve immediately with buttered pav toasted on a clean griddle. Leftovers cool quickly because of the mash texture, so divide into shallow containers and refrigerate within two hours. Reheat until steaming and add a splash of water if needed. For monsoon or traveling tiffins, consider packing the bhaji in a thermos to keep it hot and secure against contamination.