Store bought pav reccomendations
However, if you are looking for a store-bought alternative, my preferred brand is King’s Hawaiian rolls which are slightly on the sweeter side but provide such a pillowy vehicle for the bhaji. If you don’t like your bread to have any sweetness, pop by the freezer section of the grocery aisle to get the bake and serve dinner rolls which is a semi-homemade option.
Homemade Pav
Ginger Paste - This gives the pav bhaji a lot of warming, peppery flavor. You can make ginger paste by grinding up the ginger root in a food processor with some water until smooth or buy store-bought ginger paste. Thai Chilis - For a fresh vegetal heat. Reduce the amount in this recipe if you don’t like spice. Double concentrate tomato paste - This helps give an intense tomato flavor, acidity, and a bright red color to the pav bhaji. Pav bhaji masala - This spice blend is the backbone of this recipe. I prefer to make a homemade pav bhaji masala but you can use storebought if you are in a hurry. When using store-bought, I like to add a pinch more of black salt to really make the flavors pop. Onions
Finishing Garnishes
Lemon - for more acidity Chopped Cilantro - For herbyness and freshness. Use mint as a substitute Red onion, finely diced - for crunch and a fresh bite.
Starchy Vegetables
Russet or yukon gold potatoes - Russet potatoes provide a light and airy texture whereas yukon gold result in a pav bhaji that is creamier and heavier. Cauliflower florettes - Give the dish a creaminess and a delicious cauliflower taste. If you are trying to lower the carbs in the recipe, you can always substitute some of the potatoes with an equal weight in cauliflower.
Non Starchy Vegetables
Tomatoes Green beans Carrots Peas
Any of these vegetables besides onion and tomatoes can be substituted for your favorite vegetables. Some common substitutes are bell peppers or beet root.
