21 November, 2023
Making of Vada Pav
Vada Pav is a popular street food in the Indian state of Maharashtra, especially in Mumbai. It consists of a spicy potato filling (vada) sandwiched between a pav (a type of soft bread roll). Here’s a basic recipe to make Vada Pav:
Ingredients:
For the Potato Filling (Vada):
- 4 large potatoes, boiled and mashed
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
- 2-3 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- A few curry leaves, chopped
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon oil for tempering, plus additional oil for deep frying
For the Pav (Bread Rolls):
- 8 pav (small bread rolls)
- Butter for toasting
For Chutneys and Garnish:
- Green chutney (coriander and mint chutney)
- Tamarind chutney
- Chopped onions
- Chopped coriander leaves
Instructions:
For the Potato Filling (Vada):
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Once they splutter, add asafoetida, chopped green chilies, ginger-garlic paste, and curry leaves. Sauté for a minute.
- Add turmeric powder and boiled, mashed potatoes. Mix well and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Season with salt and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes. The potato filling should be dry. Allow it to cool.
- In a bowl, prepare a smooth batter by mixing gram flour with water. The consistency should be thick enough to coat the potato balls.
- Take small portions of the potato mixture and shape them into round balls.
- Heat oil in a pan for deep frying. Dip each potato ball into the gram flour batter, ensuring it’s well coated, and then deep fry until golden brown. Remove and drain excess oil on a paper towel.
For the Pav (Bread Rolls):
- Cut the pav rolls in half, horizontally.
- Apply butter on the cut sides and toast them on a griddle or pan until they are golden brown.
Assembling Vada Pav:
- Spread green chutney on one side of the toasted pav and tamarind chutney on the other side.
- Place a hot vada in the center of the pav, squashing it slightly.
- Garnish with chopped onions and coriander leaves.
- Close the pav and press gently.
Your Vada Pav is ready to be served! Enjoy this delicious and spicy street food with a side of extra chutney if you like.