Ingredients:
For Pav Bhaji Masala:
– ½ tablespoon oil
– 2 tablespoons butter
– ½ inch ginger, chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, chopped
– 3 green chilies, chopped (use 2 for less heat, add more if you prefer spicier)
– 1 medium onion, chopped
– 1 green bell pepper, chopped
– 2 plum tomatoes, chopped
– 1 ½ tablespoons pav bhaji masala
– ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
– 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder (or paprika)
– ½ cup water
– 3 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
– ½ teaspoon pav bhaji masala (add at the end)
– ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
For the Garlic-Butter Mixture (Stovetop):
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
– 1 teaspoon pav bhaji masala
– 2 cloves garlic, chopped
To Assemble:
– 1 French loaf bread (split in half, Italian loaf works too)
– Spread masala on both sides
– 2 cups of Mexican blend shredded cheese (1 cup on each side)
For Garnish:
– Red onion, chopped
– Fresh cilantro, chopped
– Squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions:
Prep:
Begin by chopping ginger, garlic, green chilies, onions, green bell peppers, and tomatoes.
Make Pav Bhaji Masala:
1. Heat up a dutch oven enameled cast-iron on low-medium heat. Once hot, add ½ tablespoon of oil and 2 tablespoons of butter.
2. Once the butter melts, add ginger, garlic, and green chilies. Sauté for a minute.
3. Add onions and season with a little salt. Increase heat to medium. Stir and sauté until caramelized, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add green bell pepper. Season with a little salt. Stir and cook for 4 minutes.
5. Add tomatoes and season with a little salt. Cook the tomatoes down for about 3-4 minutes.
6. Now add your spices – turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chili powder (or paprika), and 1 ½ tablespoons of pav bhaji masala. Stir.
7. Add ½ cup water. Stir and cook down for 2 minutes.
8. Now add cream cheese. Stir until the masala is creamy. This will take about 3 minutes.
9. Add ½ teaspoon of pav bhaji masala.
10. Add fresh cilantro.
11. Stir to combine. Turn off the stove.
Prepare the Tadka:
1. Heat up a small tempering pan on low-medium heat. Once hot, add butter.
2. Once the butter melts and sizzles, add 2 cloves of fresh garlic and pav bhaji masala. Cook for about 30 seconds.
3. Stir and this is what you’ll have. Turn off the stove.
Assemble:
1. Take a loaf of French bread.
2. Remove the extra bread from the inside – this way, you can stuff the bread with the masala.
3. Generously spread the masala all over the bread.
4. Top with Mexican blend cheese. Place in the oven for 20 minutes at 400 degrees. Bake a little longer if you need to, but don’t overbake.
5. Your Pav Bhaji Garlic Bread is ready.
Garnish:
1. Garnish with chopped red onions, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Enjoy your delicious Pav Bhaji Garlic Bread!