Pav Bhaji Masala is a flavorful spice blend specially crafted for making the popular Indian street food dish, Pav Bhaji—a spicy mashed vegetable curry served with buttered bread rolls. This masala gives the dish its signature rich, tangy, and slightly smoky flavor.
The blend typically includes a mix of coriander seeds, cumin, fennel, black pepper, dry mango powder (amchur), cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, red chili powder, and sometimes dry ginger and asafoetida. Each spice adds a layer of complexity, balancing heat, tang, and aroma.
Pav Bhaji Masala is usually added while cooking the mashed vegetables, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully. It's also used as a flavor enhancer in other dishes like pulao, tawa pulao, and spicy snacks.