Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1.Prepare the Masala Base

   Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan. Add 1 large cube of butter and let it melt. Add 1 tsp cumin seeds and sauté until fragrant. Add 1/4 cup finely chopped onion and sauté until it turns light pink.

2. 2.Add Aromatics and Vegetables

   Add 1 tbsp chopped garlic and 1 tbsp grated ginger. Sauté for a minute until fragrant. Add 1/4 cup chopped green capsicum and 1/4 cup chopped tomatoes. Mix well.

3. 3.Season the Masala

   Add salt to taste, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder, 1 tsp pav bhaji masala, and 1/4 tsp garam masala. Mix all the spices thoroughly with the vegetables.

4. 4.Cook the Masala

   Add approximately 1/4 cup of water to the pan. Mix well, then cover the pan with a lid and cook on low flame for 2 minutes to allow the vegetables to soften and flavors to meld. Uncover and mash the vegetables slightly with a spatula until the masala is thick and the oil separates. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves and turn off the flame. Transfer the prepared masala to a bowl.

5. 5.Prepare the Pav

   Take 9 joined pav buns and carefully slice them horizontally through the middle, creating two halves.

6. 6.Make Garlic Butter

   In the same pan, add another large cube of butter and let it melt. Add 1 tbsp chopped garlic and sauté lightly. Add 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves and mix. Turn off the flame. Remove about 1 tbsp of this garlic butter mixture into a small bowl for later use.

7. 7.Toast Pav Halves

   Place the bottom half of the sliced pav (cut side down) onto the garlic butter in the pan. Press gently to ensure it absorbs the butter. Flip it over to lightly toast the top side. Remove from the pan and place on a cutting board. Repeat with the top half of the pav, coating it with the remaining garlic butter in the pan.

8. 8.Assemble the Cheesy Garlic Masala Pav

   Spread the prepared vegetable masala generously over the bottom half of the pav. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the masala. Sprinkle some chopped coriander leaves over the cheese. Carefully place the top half of the pav over the cheese and masala layer.

9. 9.Final Toasting and Melting

   Add the reserved garlic butter mixture back into the pan and spread it. Place the assembled pav back into the pan. Add extra mozzarella cheese into the gaps between the individual pav buns for more cheese pull. Cover the pan with a lid and cook on low flame for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and gooey. Transfer the cheesy garlic masala pav to a serving plate.

10. 10.Garnish and Serve

    In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp finely chopped onion, 2 tbsp finely chopped tomato, 1 tsp finely chopped green chili, and 1 tsp lemon juice. Sprinkle this mixture over the hot cheesy garlic masala pav. Garnish with 1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves. Serve immediately.