Low Carb Pav Bhaji - Vegetarian Recipe - Diet Doctor (2024)

Low Carb Pav Bhaji - Vegetarian Recipe - Diet Doctor (1)

Let us introduce you to pav bhaji, the king of Mumbai’s street food, sort of a vegetarian version of chili con carne. ‘Pav’ means ‘bread’ and ‘bhaji’ means ‘vegetable’, but as we all know that cauliflower is the new potato, let the best low-carb veggies come together in this irresistible Indian stew.

October 16 2018 recipe by Sahil Makhija, photo by Naomi Sherman, nutritional review by Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE in Recipes, Dinner, Meal

Let us introduce you to pav bhaji, the king of Mumbai’s street food, sort of a vegetarian version of chili con carne. ‘Pav’ means ‘bread’ and ‘bhaji’ means ‘vegetable’, but as we all know that cauliflower is the new potato, let the best low-carb veggies come together in this irresistible Indian stew.

USMetric

4 servingservings

Ingredients

  • 1¼ lbs 550 g cauliflower, cut in small pieces
  • 2 (8 oz.) 2 (230 g) tomato, finely choppedtomatoes, finely chopped
  • 1 (5 oz.) 1 (140 g) green bell pepper, finely choppedgreen bell peppers, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
  • 2 tsp 2 tsp pav bhaji masala
  • 6 oz. 170 g butter
  • 1 (4 oz.) 1 (110 g) red onion, slicedred onions, sliced
  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp fresh cilantro
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp kashmiri red chili powder
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp dried fenugreek (kasoori methi)
  • red food coloring (optional)
  • salt, to taste
  • ½ ½ lime, the juicelimes, the juice

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Low Carb Pav Bhaji - Vegetarian Recipe - Diet Doctor (5)

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Making low carb simple

Instructions

  1. Cut the cauliflower into small pieces and add to a large frying pan along with about a cup of water. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the cauliflower is fork-tender.

  2. Add finely chopped tomatoes, finely chopped green bell pepper, ginger garlic paste, half of the pav bhaji masala, salt to taste, and one-third of the butter. Mix well and cook for 5-10 minutes with the lid on.

  3. Use a potato masher and mash everything into a mushy paste and cook until all the water evaporates. As the vegetables get softer, give them another mash. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

  4. Heat the remaining butter in the previously used pan. Add onion, cilantro, kasoori methi, chili powder, and the rest of the pav bhaji masala. Cook until the onion turns translucent. Add the food coloring if you're using any.

  5. Add the cauliflower mash mixture, mix well, and cook for 3-4 minutes.

  6. Add some more water and mash again with the potato masher so you get a puree. Squeeze in the lime juice. Depending on how thick or thin you want it, add more water, or keep cooking until the water evaporates.

  7. Top with a dollop of butter, chopped onion, and fresh coriander.

  8. Serve with keto bread.

About this recipe

This recipe is part of a collaboration with Sahil Makhija and it was originally published on his blog Headbanger's Kitchen.

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💬 Have you tried this recipe?

What did you think? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below!

7 comments

  1. 1

    Maggie

    October 28 2018

    What is Bahaji masala please?

  2. 2

    Trish

    November 14 2018

    What is pav bhaji masala? Thanks

  3. 3

    Trond

    December 4 2018

  4. 4

    Anithay

    June 24 2019

    Just buy from indian grocery store..it is easy

  5. 1 comment removed
  6. 6

    Liz

    January 20 2022

    Anithay, not so easy if you live somewhere with no Indian Supermarket. 😀
    Trond, thank you so much for the link.

  7. 7

    Mohit Jonathan

    August 8 2022

    oh man finally something good indian on keto

    Reply: #8

  8. 8

    Reply to comment #7 by Mohit Jonathan

    Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor

    August 8 2022

    oh man finally something good indian on keto

    Be sure to check out our other Indian recipes, too! https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/recipes/around-world#indian

Leave a reply

Low Carb Pav Bhaji - Vegetarian Recipe - Diet Doctor (2024)

FAQs

Can I eat pav bhaji during weight loss? ›

According to nutrition coach Ruchi Sharmma, your beloved pav bhaji can be had in your weight loss diet provided you turn it in to a healthy meal. For the unversed, pav bhaji is a popular Indian street food which is a tasty, crispy meal prepared with lots of vegetables and butter.

Is pav bhaji high in carbs? ›

One plate of Pav Bhaji gives 401 calories. Out of which carbohydrates comprise 232 calories, proteins account for 38 calories and remaining calories come from fat which is 131 calories. One plate of Pav Bhaji provides about 20 percent of the total daily calorie requirement of a standard adult diet of 2,000 calories.

Is pav bhaji healthy or junk food? ›

There is no doubt that pav bhaji is among the most beloved street foods in India, but it falls short in the health department. The bhaji is typically made with generous amounts of ghee and butter, making it a source of unhealthy fats.

Can diabetics eat pav bhaji? ›

Pav Bhaji is a thick vegetable curry made of potatoes, tomatoes and varieties of seasonal vegetables. Though slightly higher in carbohydrates than some other dishes due to the potatoes, Pav Bhaji is still suitable in moderation for diabetics.

Can I eat one vada pav during weight loss? ›

If you eat 'a' vada pav once in a while, it will not lead to wait gain especially if the vada pav is prepared at home. But if you stuff yourself with vada pavs everyday, then the answer is pretty obvious. A Vadapav has approximately 300 Calories, of which 65% is Fat.

How unhealthy is pav bhaji? ›

While it is a delicious and flavorful dish, it can be high in calories, sodium, and unhealthy fats if not prepared or consumed in a healthy way. Here are some tips for eating pav bhaji in a healthier way: Choose whole wheat pav or bread instead of white bread.

Is pav better than bread? ›

Pav is made of maida which is processed and is thus high in carbohydrates and hence a good source of energy. However, being high on glycemic index scale, it is not advised for people with obesity and diabetes. Further, white bread is devoid of other essential nutrients as they are lost in the processing of maida.

Can I eat pav bhaji on cheat day? ›

However, if you are on a weight loss diet, you might want to steer clear of these, even if it is your cheat day. The reason behind this is the calories in pav bhaji are too much because of the butter that makes it delicious. But you can make modifications in its preparation and can add vegetables to make it fiber rich.

What are the disadvantages of pav bhaji? ›

While it might be tasty, it is not considered a nutritious food. Pav Bhaji is heavy in fat and calories, and the vegetables used in the dish are frequently fried in a lot of oil. The bread roll is similarly heavy in carbs and low in fiber.

What is a substitute for pav in pav bhaji? ›

If you live outside India & don't find pav, you may serve them with unsweetened buns, sourdough or artisan breads. Whole grain crusty breads also go well with this bhaji. Mixed vegetables: I use fresh veggies like carrots, cauliflower, bell peppers, beans potatoes & frozen peas.

Is POHA good for health? ›

A: Yes, you can eat poha at night for weight loss. Poha is a light, healthy, nutritious snack that is low in calories and fibre. It is a good source of carbs, proteins, and vitamins and minerals that the body needs. In addition, Poha is low in fat and helps keep you satiated for longer.

Is pav bhaji high in calories? ›

Calories in pav bhaji

Assuming that the ingredients used in the preparation include pav bread, oil, vegetables (potatoes, peas, onions, and cauliflower) and butter, a plate (200 g) of pav bhaji containing bhaji and 2 pav pieces of bread with contains about 390 calories.

How much fat does pav bhaji have? ›

How to burn 400 calories that come from one serving of Pav Bhaji?
Value per per serving% Daily Values
Protein9.4 g17%
Carbohydrates57.9 g19%
Fiber4.5 g18%
Fat14.5 g22%
20 more rows
Nov 25, 2023

Why is pav bhaji healthy? ›

People with anaemia can benefit from the high sodium content, which helps keep their blood pressure at the right level. Another benefit of using Pav Bhaji as a seasoning is that the sodium in it is important for keeping the amount of water in our bodies in balance.

Is chapati bhaji good for weight loss? ›

The research found that consuming whole wheat chapatis made with atta (whole wheat flour) can provide a good source of fibre, protein, and complex carbohydrates, which can help weight loss. In addition, one can pair them with vegetables and lean protein sources such as grilled chicken or fish.

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