Pav Bhaji : My Style

Pav Bhaji is one of the famous street food which is liked by so many around the world. Spicy, filled with veggie and yummy Pav Bhaji is always loved and invited by the hungry stomach. Its healthy and stomach filling food too. Pav is nothing but a bun (a special type of bun) and bhaji is spicy curry.

Here is a simple, quick and yummy " Pav Bhaji " and I have used vegetables, some spices/masala and Pav is heated on tava with little butter. I am sure we fall love in having Pav Bhaji and definitely prepare this evening.
You can have this Pav Bhaji for the breakfast (tummy full), as snack in the evening time or for dinner.
Remember to use less spice which helps to keep you fit and fine. It is always better to use less spice because you may feel not only thirsty and lazy, spice effect cause chest burn and other problems because of more spice in the curry.
No Onion or Garlic is cooked in this " Pav Bhaji ". (Cut onions are used as raw to add it to the curry. Purely Optional.
Use of pressure cooker to cook vegetables because it helps to retain health content in vegetables.
Lets see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

To Pressure cook :
Carrots : 2
Potatoes : 2 to 3
Peas : 1 Bowl
Tomatoes : 2
To Add :
Pav Bhaji Masala (Mayyas) : 1 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Jeera Seasoning : 1 Tablespoon
Grated Ginger : 1 Teaspoon
Salt : As Required
Turmeric powder : 1/4 Teaspoon
Chat Masala : 1/2 Teaspoon
Butter : 1 Tablespoon
Coriander Leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Lemon : 1/2 Lemon extract.

Method : 

1. Wash and remove the outer layer of all the vegetables. Cut into small pieces. Slit green chilly.
2. Wash fresh peas. Now put cut vegetables and peas to pressure cooker.

3. Add little water to the vegetables and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger and wash it again. Grate it and keep it aside.
4. Remove the lid once the pressure cooker is cool.

5. Add salt, turmeric powder, pav bhaji (Mayya's ), jeera powder and smash the vegetables nicely.
6. Add very little water and cook for 2 minutes. Add grated ginger.

7. Mix it well.. Let it cook for a minute.
8. Keep a small pan and put oil. (1 Tablespoon). Add slit chilly and fry nicely.
9. Add this to cooked Bhaji and mix it well.

10. Add 1/4 Teaspoon of chat masala and mix it nicely. Add a tablespoon of butter and let it melt.

11. Mix bhaji nicely and put off the fire. Shift the ready curry to a bowl, Add coriander leaves and 1/2 lemon extract. .

12. Cut Pav in the middle and put it on a hot tava. Put little butter on each side.
13. Let it turn slightly golden brown. Put it on a plate.

14. Serve Pav bhaji with cut onions on the side. (Or put some cut onions on the top of bhaji).

Note: 

Use of pressure cooker is optional. You can use a tava to mix all the ingredients nicely. Smashing the vegetables is an optional. Adding more spice is optional. Mild spice is always better. Use of cut onions on the side is optional. (You can use cucumber pieces instead of onions). Adding more/less butter is optional. Butter not only adds to the  taste helps to reduce the spicy taste.
Time : 15 Minutes
Serves : 4 to 5 .

Cocoa (Choco) Cake

Just wanted to try brown cake, which most of the children love to have. Just before closing the class for summer holidays we wanted to have a small party for children who comes to our home for studying.

We had a beautiful time with children, playing " Jenga" and some indoor games like musical chair. Felt that we had spent good time playing and laughing and having fun. Anyways there was no tension of studying lessons or completing notes. They were really free because the annual exams were over. Summer holidays were started and they were free to enjoy their time.
I have used Maida, Cocoa powder, sugar and some essence.
Lets see the recipe : Eggs are not used here in this cake and curd is used instead of eggs.

Things needed :

Maida/Al purpose flour : 2 Cups
Cooking Oil : (any cooking oil) : Little more than 1/2 cup.
Sugar : 3/4 Cup
Vanilla essence : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curd : 1/2 Cup
Milk : 1/2 Cup
Salt : A pinch
Baking Powder : 1 Teaspoon
Baking Soda : 1/4 Teaspoon
Cocoa Powder : 1 Teaspoon (Full).
Vanila Essence : 2 Drops

Method :

1. Sieve Maida, cocoa powder, baking soda and baking powder together. (Twice).

2. Powder sugar and add oil, curd and grind it nicely. Add milk and grind it.

3. Let it mix well and turn as smooth cream. Remove from the mixi jar and put it in a big bowl.

4. Add a pinch of salt and sieved maida, cocoa powder, baking powder and baking soda mixture.
5.  Add vanila essence. Mix it slowly without any lumps.

6. Heat the oven for 5 to 10 minutes.
7. Grease the tray with oil/ghee. Put the ready cake mixture and tap the tray, so that the mixture sets evenly.

8. Put the tray in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Insert a knife/spoon edge to check its done.
9. Put off the oven and remove the cake tray. Place it on the top of the oven for 5 minutes.

10. Now take it out the tray and let it cool. Cut the cake according to your wish. Yummy cake is ready to serve.

Note :

This is a simple cocoa cake which has turned very nice and we enjoyed it thoroughly. Our children enjoyed it. Adding more sugar is optional. Adding butter/olive oil instead of cooking oil is optional. Adding eggs instead of curd is optional. You can add some chocolate chips and bake.
Time : 10 Minutes for preparation and 35 Minutes for baking. I have used Mixi Jar (Liquidizer) to mix all the ingredients except maida. You can use egg beater instead.
Happy Summer Holidays 2017. (Children already gone for vacation). The very few around attended the Summer Holiday Party....☺☺☺