May 7, 2010

Pav Buns for Pav Bhaji

This has been a long due post for me. Some of you might have seen my post on Paneer Pav Bhaji here before. The pav buns I attempted at that time looked great but were not so great to eat! They had turned out hard, probably because the water I soaked the yeast in was hotter than needed and that killed the yeast and so the bread did not turn out good.

So, I'm here redeeming myself. Tried it again and this time it turned out perfect - just the way we all love it.

For the yeast mix, you will need -

1 pack Active Dry Yeast
1 tbsp sugar
Water - about 1 1/2 cups. Microwave for about 30 secs. The water should be lukewarm and not hot. Hot water will kill the yeast. Trust me..I know. :(

Put the yeast in a bowl.


Add the tbsp of sugar to the yeast and mix well.


Now, pour the water and stir well so that all the yeast gets mixed in well.


See how that looks now? Set this out and put a lid on it. Let this sit for about 15 mins.


Look at what happened in about 15 mins. Reminds me of the saying - 15 mins can change your life! So true for the yeast!

Can you see how the little breathing holes are formed. This is directly propotional to how good your bread will turn out!


Now to make the dough, you will need -

4 cups of all purpose flour
2 1/4 cups of yeast water.( water should be half of the quantity of the flour used and a little more)
1 stick of butter ( 8tbsps)
1/2 cup of milk
salt - 1/2 tsp

Add the remaining water to the yeast and mix well once.


Put the flour in a wide plate or a wide wooden chopping block or even on your clean counter. Make a well in the middle and pour the yeast and water mix little at a time and start mixing and kneading the flour.


Get your hands dirty. Its a wonderful mess to be in!


Add the 1/2 cup of milk again a little at a time and keep kneading and forming a dough.


You will have to knead this for about 15 mins - yes, it does take time. So, punch, pull, get your frustrations out, give your arms a workout - do all you can with your hands and the flour for the next 15 mins!


When the dough starts to form a ball, add melted butter in the middle - you could also add little by little and keep kneading. If the dough gets a little too slimy, sprinkle some flour on top and keep kneading.


See its almost coming together now.


Make the ball into a smooth round and place in a mixing bowl greased with a little butter.


Cover with a damp cloth and let this rest for about 2 hrs. Are you ready to see how it looks like after 2 hrs?


How about this? The dough ball has almost tripled in size!


Punch gently a few times and let the air get out.


Fold a few more times and get ready to make balls.


Take small ball sized dough and roll with your palm and fingertips in a swirling motion. That way the base is also smooth.


Arrange the balls together - make sure that they are touching each other. Place in a baking dish that has been buttered and dusted with flour.


Cover with a damp cloth again and let this now sit for about 45 mins. They will rise a little bit more.


See I told ya - they do rise some more.


Now, place the buns in a pre heated oven at 375F. Bake for about 15-20 mins. Or until the tops start getting golden brown.


Remove and brush immediately with melted butter. I could have let it bake for a couple of more mins - but my husband scared me..he told me that if i let them too long, they might get hard again..hmm..afterthought - I think he was just hungry and could not wait any more!



There they are - my little bun babies! Lookin so cute!


Just a couple of cross section photos so you can see how they look inside!


This time, the buns were soft and flavorful ( that 1 stick of butter did not go in vain, after all)


And of course, even though the bread is just out of the oven - that cannot satisfy a bombaywala...he broke them into two and toasted them on a tava again with a brush of butter!


Here's my bhaji ready!


Serve immediately with bhaji on the side and chopped onions and a wedge of lime!

Long live our love for carbs and butter!


Enjoy! Peace Out!

19 comments:

  1. Oh god.. you make me soo hungry

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  2. Wow, they are so lovely and fresh looking. I love your step by step pics.

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  3. I love your step by step pics... and the pav has come out really well, so soft n buttery :)

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  4. Nothing smells better to me than home baked bread! I'm glad your second attempt turned out so perfect :)

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  5. wow pav buns came out really good.the best thing i love is ur presentation..very well explained..good work yarr

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  6. Wow u made it anu.. it looks awesome and wonderful .. I can feel the taste and texture by seeing the 26th picture.. Yummm!!!!!! Nothing is best than the home made pavs right!!!!

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  7. Anu sorry I commented you from My husbands id..

    Pavithra
    www.dishesfrommykitchen.com

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  8. @ Pavi - for a min there, I was in shock - I was like who is Elangovan who knows me by first name basis? LOL!

    Thanks for your help yesterday on the mishap - I'm depressed about it - had to eat some of that tiramisu to come out of it!

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  9. Hey .. Hee Hee .I made this bun a couple of days back for the first time and mine looked great and softer inside but was little harder at the outer skin. I now know why was it .. I also think I had baked for a little longer say 5 mins more..

    Next time will make the same following yours da..

    It looks perfect

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  10. Wow! perfectly and professional look pavs.

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  11. CAN WE MAKE IT WITH OUR USUAL WHEAT FLOUR ALSO ...

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  12. I vouch and can say there cannot be a better post for these pav's. Awesome and enjoyed reading every word. Bookmarked and thanks a ton for sharing it in detail.

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  13. I love this..making home-made Pav has been on my mind since looong.Your pics are awesome!!

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  14. thank you so much for your generosity in sharing your time and experience.

    The site is wonderful and the recipes inspiring.

    Cheers,
    Clive

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  15. Hey Thanks for sharing this buddy..Very very useful

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  16. Wow man u made the pav...cool....looks delish

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  17. I was waiting for this recipe to be posted on ur site for a long time, And finally I got It :-)...

    I prepared Pav today for our dinner following ur recipe and it came out sooooooo well...

    I had already tried making pav twice before this but they didn't come out well....but today it came out so soft and spongy that I couldn't believe that i did it. Thank u.....

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  18. Well well, you were just waiting for me to be away from cyberworld eh? So many posts and me away all this time. Should have come home to have your tiramisu. But as I couldn't I ordered myself a Tiramisu from you know where, AGAIN :))

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  19. Thanks so much! I have been looking for a pav recipe since long... Your presentation is excellent. I will surely try these very soon. Thanks again.
    Kauser

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