Pav Bhaji Masala Powder

Making your own Pav Bhaji masala powder at home is a great way to ensure freshness and customize the flavors according to your taste preferences. Here’s a recipe for Pav Bhaji masala powder:

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 2 tablespoons cumin seeds
• 2 tablespoons fennel seeds
• 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon dried mango powder (amchur)
• 1 tablespoon dried pomegranate seeds (anardana)
• 1 tablespoon dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)
• 2-3 dried red chilies (adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon Kashmiri red chili powder (for color, optional)
• 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon black salt (kala namak)
• 1 tablespoon dried ginger powder
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
• 1 tablespoon cloves powder
• 1 tablespoon dried garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon dried onion powder
• 1 tablespoon asafoetida (hing)
• 1 tablespoon dried mint leaves (optional)

Instructions:

1. Dry roast coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, dried red chilies, dried pomegranate seeds, and dried fenugreek leaves in a pan over low heat until fragrant. Stir continuously to prevent burning. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
2. Once roasted, transfer the spices to a plate and let them cool completely.
3. Once cooled, grind the roasted spices along with dried mango powder, Kashmiri red chili powder (if using), turmeric powder, black salt, dried ginger powder, cinnamon powder, cloves powder, dried garlic powder, dried onion powder, asafoetida, and dried mint leaves (if using) to a fine powder using a spice grinder or a blender.
4. Sieve the ground masala powder to remove any coarse particles and ensure a smooth texture.
5. Store the Pav Bhaji masala powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It will stay fresh for several months.

Tips:

• Adjust the quantity of red chilies according to your spice preference.
• You can skip or adjust any spice according to your taste.
• For a more intense flavor, you can dry roast the spices individually.
• Adding Kashmiri red chili powder gives a nice color to the dish without making it too spicy.
• Use this homemade Pav Bhaji masala powder while making Pav Bhaji or any other vegetable dishes for an authentic flavor.