Pav Bhaji Puffs

Pav bhaji puffs are a delightful fusion of two Indian street food favorites – pav bhaji and puffs. This snack offers a unique twist on the classic combination.

Ingredients:

For the Puff Pastry:

All-purpose flour

Butter

Water

Salt

For the Pav Bhaji Filling:

Potatoes

Green peas

Onions

Tomatoes

Ginger-garlic paste

Green chilies

Turmeric powder

Coriander powder

Cumin powder

Garam masala

Red chili powder

Salt

Butter

Lemon juice

Fresh coriander leaves

For the Filling Mixture:

Pav bhaji filling

Cheese (optional)

Production Steps:

Preparing the Puff Pastry:

1. Combine dry ingredients:Mix all-purpose flour and salt in a bowl.

2. Cut in butter:Add cold butter to the flour mixture and cut it in using a pastry blender or two knives until it resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Add water:Gradually add ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough just comes together. Avoid overworking the dough.

4. Rest the dough:Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Preparing the Pav Bhaji Filling:

1. Boil vegetables:Boil potatoes and green peas until tender. Mash them roughly.

2. Saute aromatics:Heat oil in a pan, add chopped onions, and saute until golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and saute for a few seconds.

3. Add spices:Stir in turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala, red chili powder, and salt.

4. Cook the filling:Add mashed potatoes, green peas, chopped tomatoes, and green chilies to the pan. Cook until the mixture is dry and the oil separates.

5. Tempering:Add butter, lemon juice, and fresh coriander leaves for tempering.

Assembling and Baking the Puffs:

1. Roll out the dough:Divide the chilled dough into equal portions. Roll out each portion into a circle.

2. Fill the puffs:Place a spoonful of pav bhaji filling in the center of each circle. Add grated cheese (optional).

3. Seal the puffs:Fold the dough over the filling to form a semicircle and press the edges to seal.

4. Brush with egg wash:Brush the tops of the puffs with beaten egg for a golden brown finish.

5. Bake:Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the puffs for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and puffed up.

Serving:

Serve the pav bhaji puffs hot with additional pav bhaji on the side for dipping.

Garnish with chopped onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lemon.

Tips:

For a richer flavor, use ghee instead of butter in the pav bhaji filling.

To make the puffs crispier, freeze them for 15 minutes before baking.

By following these steps, you can create delicious and authentic pav bhaji puffs that will impress your taste buds.