M M-S

M - One of my school buddies!! :) From among the scholars in the class...one of the most well behaved ... well... for the teachers definiitely!! lol.. Though she was not one of the naughtiest in the class ( like some others in my buddies list ;)) she was never tooo far from the pranks being played in the class or the chaos ( being created ;) ) in class/science lab...but smartly never got caught for all such things. I still remember she got A grade in Intermediate art exam and I was like wow... I didnt know she drew/painted so well!! hahaha She was House prefect, was in the basketball/volleyball team, always helpful to all...all in all quite sarvagun sampann types!! We have had fun times at her place trying out our beginners cooking ...."batatyachya kachrya and phulke!!" As me, D and M stayed around the same area, we used to huff and puff our way on the bicycles home together.. and the fun part in the whole exercise (!) was eating Harbhara ( buying a gaddi for each!) and banana wafers. It used to be such excitement to do that. High point for the day! At times it required planning... financial.. mind you...to do that... as harbhara though much cheaper back then Rs. 2-3/- per Gaddi...Banana wafers were a bit costlier...Rs 5-8/- I think...At least I didnt have so much money with me always.. and even if I had.. it used to be spent on Wada pav/Samosa pav that we used to get in the canteen.!! So amhi tharvun khaycho :) We are used to hearing from our parents about simple joys that they had during their childhood.. or "their" times in general... how it used to cost nothing to enjoy simple things in life and be content with it. Well..my memories are just 10-15 years ago and I wonder if our kids will even feel this " so much joy " in such simplest things like eating harbhara/ Banana chips while coming back from school... .. I just wish they also have such memories...coz these are the small memories which have helped me build and bind friendships in school. After school me and M we werent so much in touch with different colleges and vocations...we rarely met.. but then we met.. this time to exchange wedding invitations. We both share the same wedding date.. yes.. year too... So obviously couldnt attend her wedding..but social networking sites helped a bit more to stay updated about happenings in each others lives... Back to present.. now married and a kid in tow, it appears M finds bit more time to stay in touch and how glad I am for that! :) So here is my recipe of Pav bhaji dedicated to her and cheers to our Friendship..:D

PAV BHAJI : ( the less is more version... i.e. less ingredients... more convenient :D)

Ingredients :

1. Potatoes - 1 medium per person ( yes that is how you can adjust it to your cooking if at all you want to try this out )

2. Tomatoes - 1/2 medium per person

3. Capsicum - 1/2 medium per person ( but also depends on how you like the flavour )

4. Ginger Garlic paste - Also depends on your liking...I usually put 1 flat tbsp for 3 people. Also required about a tablespoon of v v finely shopped garlic .

5. Pav Bhaji Masala - As per taste

6. Chilli Powder - As per taste

7. Salt - As per taste

8. Coriander - Half of the qty put inside... half for garnishing

9. Hot water to adjust the consistency of the bhaji - preferably I use hot water to speed up the cooking process

10. Butter+ Ghee/Oil - No comments.. lol

11. Pav

Procedure:

Boil, peel and mash the potatoes.

Finely chop capsicum and onion.

Grate the tomatoes to get puree.

Make a paste of garlic and ginger.

Add butter + oil to pan.

Saute onion and capsicum.

Add bit of salt as onion becomes soft bit sooner.

After it changes colour a bit, add GG paste.

Fry till colour changes to light brown and veggies become soft and reduce volume.

Add tomato puree..and saute a bit.

Add chilli powder and some pav bhaji masala.

Add a bit of hot water..to this gravy add mashed potatoes ( this helps mix the potatoes quickly into the pan)

Put on the lid and cook for 2-3 mins.

Add more water, salt to taste and masala.

Now cook till the you get required consistency.

After the bhaji is ready, heat butter + ghee/ oil in small phodni kadhai/pan.

Add finely chopped garlic and fry a bit.

Add bit of chilli powder and masala to this and mix this in the bhaji.. this gives awesome taste to the bhaji.. :)

Ready to serve alongwith bread and garnish of coriander, lemon wedge and sliced onions.