Pav (Bread)

Pav(Bread) has been a part and parcel of every Goan's life. In Goa, we have Men selling Pav ‘popularly known as ‘ Poder’  by fellow Goans and he uses a bicycle with a cane basket tugged to it with lots of Ladi pav (Rows of bread), Unde(Crusty bread famous in Goa), Poli, Kakna (Kakna means Bangles in Konkani and these edible bangles are Circle-shaped crusty bread which is usually relished with a hot cup of Tea or Coffee.) This poder drives through all the lanes of the city or villages making the sound “Ponk Ponk” with his special instrument to inform people about his arrival and people rush to their home entrance to buy their share of bread.

 

Pav (Bread) can be eaten for all three meals along with different accompaniments on different days. Breakfast usually with butter, Mango Jam freshly made, Sweet Mango Pickle, and alike. For special lunches and dinners, Pav can be enjoyed with homemade authentic Goan curry which could be vegetarian such as Chanyache Tonak(Chana masala), Batat Bhaji(Potato bhaji), or non-vegetarian dishes such as Chicken Xacuti, Chicken Cafreal, Prawns Balchao. Also, Cutlet Pav is another great combination food.

 

Can find the Cutlet Pav fusion recipe in the link below

https://www.myculinarytales.com/2020/06/parsi-style-prawn-cutlet.html)

 

Here is the recipe for the delicious and soft Pav(Bread).

 

Ingredients

 

2 3/4 cup All-Purpose Flour

2 tbsp Sugar

1/2 tsp Salt

1 1/2 tsp Active Dry Yeast

1 Whole Egg

3/4 cup Whole Milk

2 tbsp butter melted

Egg/milk for egg wash

 

Procedure

 

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and yeast so that everything is distributed evenly.

Add egg, milk, and butter and combine well. Knead the dough for 5-6 minutes till the dough is soft and supple. Can add a little more flour while kneading if required. The dough may seem a bit sticky at first but will change its texture as you keep kneading it.

Cover the dough in a bowl and let it rest for 1.5-2 hours till the dough doubles in size.

Divide the dough into 7-8 balls and roll them with your palms.

Place the dough on a baking sheet lined with a baking sheet.

At this point, pre-heat the oven to 180C

Cover and let this rest for 20-25 minutes till these almost double again. Now brush each ball of dough with egg wash.

Bake these Pav (bread) for approx 18 minutes till they are golden on top. Brush with melted butter once out of the oven and serve.

 

Tips & Notes

 

These Pav(Bread) can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.

 

Commonly used Yeast for home baking is of two types one is the Active Dry Yeast that requires warm water and sugar to activate the granules that come alive and bubble up, thereafter they are added to the bread recipe. Other is the Instant Yeast which does not need to be proofed in water and can be incorporated along with your dry ingredients of the recipe.