Anda Ghotala Pav
A quintessential Mumbai street food classic! This dish features a spicy, mashed egg curry cooked in a rich, buttery onion-tomato masala, crowned with a perfectly runny fried egg. Served alongside soft, butter-toasted pav, it's a hearty and deeply flavorful meal that comes together in under 40 minutes.
For 4 servings
5 steps. 20 minutes total.
- 1
Step 1
- a.Prepare the Boiled Eggs
- b.Place 4 eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water by at least an inch. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- c.Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes for hard-boiled eggs.
- d.Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath or run under cold water for 2-3 minutes to stop the cooking process.
- e.Peel the cooled eggs and coarsely mash them with a fork or a potato masher. Set aside.
- 2
Step 2
- a.Cook the Ghotala Masala Base
- b.Heat 3 tbsp of butter in a wide, heavy-bottomed pan or tawa over medium heat.
- c.Add the finely chopped onions and sauté for 5-7 minutes until they become soft and translucent.
- d.Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and chopped green chillies. Cook for another minute until the raw aroma disappears.
- e.Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for 6-8 minutes, mashing them with your spatula, until they break down completely and the butter begins to separate from the masala.
- f.Add the turmeric powder, red chili powder, pav bhaji masala, and salt. Mix well and cook the spices for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- 3
Step 3
- a.Combine and Finish the Ghotala
- b.Add the mashed boiled eggs to the pan and mix thoroughly to coat them in the masala.
- c.Pour in 1/2 cup of water to create a slight gravy. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- d.Using a potato masher, press down on the mixture in the pan 4-5 times. This step is crucial for creating the authentic 'ghotala' (mashed) texture.
- e.Let it cook for 4-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. The consistency should be thick and scoopable, not watery.
- f.Finish by sprinkling in the garam masala and 2 tbsp of chopped coriander leaves. Stir well and turn off the heat.
- 4
Step 4
- a.Prepare the Fried Eggs and Pav
- b.In a separate small frying pan, heat the remaining 1 tbsp of butter over medium-low heat.
- c.Carefully crack the remaining 4 eggs into the pan. Cook them sunny-side up until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny (about 2-3 minutes).
- d.On a tawa or in the same pan used for the ghotala, melt a little more butter. Slice the pav buns horizontally, open them up, and toast them on the tawa for 1-2 minutes per side until warm and lightly golden.
- 5
Step 5
- a.Assemble and Serve
- b.Spoon a generous portion of the hot anda ghotala onto each serving plate.
- c.Gently place one runny fried egg on top of each portion of ghotala.
- d.Garnish with the remaining chopped coriander leaves.
- e.Serve immediately with 2 hot, buttered pavs and a lemon wedge on the side for squeezing over the top.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For the most authentic street-food flavor, use a flat, wide tawa for cooking the ghotala.
- 2Don't skip the pav bhaji masala; it's the signature spice blend that gives this dish its unique taste.
- 3The key to a rich gravy is cooking the tomatoes until they are completely mushy and release oil.
- 4A runny yolk is essential! It acts as a rich sauce that mixes into the spicy ghotala when you eat.
- 5Toast the pav in the same pan after cooking the ghotala to soak up all the delicious leftover masala.
- 6Use good quality butter, as its flavor is prominent in this dish.
Adapt it for your goals.
Cheesy Anda Ghotala
Stir in 1/4 cup of grated Amul or cheddar cheese at the very end for a gooey, rich texture.
Keema Anda GhotalaKeema Anda Ghotala
Add 1 cup of cooked minced chicken or mutton to the onion-tomato masala before adding the eggs for a meatier version.
Vegetable Anda GhotalaVegetable Anda Ghotala
Add 1/4 cup of finely chopped capsicum along with the onions to introduce a subtle sweetness and crunch.
Spicier KickSpicier Kick
Increase the amount of green chillies or add a pinch of black pepper along with the other spices for extra heat.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Excellent Source of Protein
With two eggs per serving, this dish is packed with high-quality protein, essential for muscle repair, immune function, and keeping you feeling full and satisfied.
Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
Eggs are a natural source of Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, selenium, and choline, which support bone health, energy metabolism, and brain function.
Energy Boosting Meal
The combination of protein from eggs, carbohydrates from the pav, and fats from butter provides a balanced source of sustained energy, making it a perfect meal for any time of day.
Frequently asked questions
In Hindi, 'Ghotala' translates to a scam, mess, or jumble. In the context of this dish, it refers to the mashed and mixed-up texture of the eggs and masala, creating a delicious, unified scramble.