Meena's Taste Mantra

Tava Pulav - Mumbai's special Street Food

Amma wanted to make a special lunch spread for Appa's Offical DOB..also this falls on Valentine's Day! More so a reason why she was so excited to create a wonderful memory of this day!

So a fusion twist in the traditional SouthIndian Lunch Option is Tawa Pulav, which also happens to be Appa's once in a blue moon favourite flavour profile! This is Mumbai's special street food...and its name is due to this being prepared in the same Tava along with the sabji! Normally, this tava is where the famous Pav Bhaji would be made and any request for tawa Pulav...the same veggies and masala...immediately mashed up and combined with rice and served hot hot!

INGREDIENTS

For Rice:
1/2 cup Basamti Rice
1 cup Water
For Bhaji:
1 Tomatoes, nice red, finely chopped

1 Onion, small, finely chopped

1 Potatoes, boiled, peeled and mashed

1 tblsp Shimla Mirch | Capsicum, finely chopped

50 gm Gobi | Cauliflower, finely chopped and boiled

50 gm Fresh Mattar | Peas

1 clove Lahsun | Garlic, finely chopped

1/4 tsp Haldi | Turmeric Powder

1/4 tsp Red Chilli Powder

1 tblsp Pav Bhaji Masala

1/2 Lemon's Juice

1 tblsp Fresh Dhania | Coriander Leaves, finely chopped

To taste Salt
1 tsp Homemade Butter

1 tsp Oil

For Garnish

1 tblsp Fresh Dhania | Coriander Leaves, finely chopped

METHOD

For Rice:

Wash and drain basmati Rice and then soak Basmati Rice in 1 cup water for 30 minutes.
In a non-stick kadhai, add soaked Basmati Rice and water, cover cook on medium flame for 8 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Once Rice is cooked, switch off the gas. Transfer cooked Basmati Rice to a plate, spread it along the surface of the plate and fluff it with a fork. Keep aside.

For Bhaji:

Place a non stick flat tava on medium flame,
Add oil and butter. As butter melts, saute onion and garlic.
Once Onion is translucent, add tomatoes and saute till Tomatoes are cooked.
Add mashed potatoes and remaining vegetables along with Pav Bhaji Masala, salt, red chilli powder and haldi powder.
Smashing them gently, mix well till the vegetables are cooked.

For Tava Pulav:

Once the vegetables are cooked, add cooked Basmati Rice, retaining 1 tblsp of the Rice for garnish. Combine them well.
Switch off the gas.
Add lemon juice and mix well.
Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and cooked Basmati rice.

Serve hot with Raita| Pickles, Dal | Kadhi and Roasted Papad.

We made Tava Pulav as part of Valentine Day Special Lunch...this is also Appa's Official DOB!

We have used:
1. Everest Pav Bhaji Masala
2. Everest Tikhalal - Red Chilli Powder
3. Borges Olive Oil - Light
4. Tata Salt Lite

About C R Meena

(c) 2014 - 2016, Meena's Taste Mantra is the result of my ardent desire to share my recipes, with all who appreciate and celebrate food. These recipes are as a result of 60 years of cooking experience, influenced by tradition and exposure to various concepts, new recipes/ingredients and a passion for cooking - adapting to healthier alternatives.