Maharashtra, a western state in India, is known for its rich and flavorful vegetarian cuisine. One popular and delicious vegetarian meal from Maharashtra that is both tasty and easy to make is “Misal Pav.”
Misal Pav is a spicy curry made with sprouted lentils (usually moth beans or mung beans) and served with pav, which is a soft bread roll. Here’s how you can make Misal Pav:
Ingredients:
1 cup sprouted lentils (moth beans or mung beans)
1 onion, finely chopped
1 tomato, finely chopped
2 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 tablespoon Misal spice mix (readily available or homemade)
1 tablespoon red chili powder (adjust according to your spice preference)
Salt to taste
Chopped coriander leaves for garnishing
Lemon wedges for serving
Pav (bread rolls) for serving
Instructions:
Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Let them splutter.
Add chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften.
Add turmeric powder, Misal spice mix, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well.
Add the sprouted lentils and mix them with the spice mixture.
Pour enough water to cover the lentils and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the lentils are cooked and the curry thickens.
Adjust the consistency by adding more water if needed and adjust the salt and spice levels according to your taste.
Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
To serve:
Heat the pav (bread rolls) on a griddle or in an oven until they are warm.
Serve the Misal curry in a bowl and garnish with additional chopped onions, chopped coriander leaves, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Serve the Misal with the warm pav on the side.
Misal Pav is a delightful and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed as a meal or a snack. The combination of spicy curry and soft pav bread creates a satisfying and delicious eating experience.
Note: Misal spice mix is readily available in Maharashtra, but if you can’t find it, you can make your own by combining spices like coriander powder, cumin powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and a pinch of asafoetida.
Enjoy your tasty and easy-to-make Misal Pav from Maharashtra!
