Handvo is a traditional savory cake from Gujarat, India. Made from a batter of rice, lentils, and mixed vegetables, it’s seasoned with spices, fermented to achieve a light texture, and then baked to golden perfection. This wholesome dish offers a delightful blend of flavors and is often enjoyed as a snack or a light meal accompanied by chutneys or yogurt.
Here’s a detailed recipe to make Handvo:
Ingredients:
For Batter:
- 1 cup rice
- 1/2 cup split pigeon peas (toor dal)
- 1/4 cup split green gram (moong dal)
- 1/4 cup split chickpeas (chana dal)
- 1/4 cup yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
- Water (for soaking)
- Salt (to taste)
For Tempering:
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 8-10 curry leaves
- 2-3 green chilies (finely chopped)
- 1-inch ginger (grated)
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (grated or finely chopped – bottle gourd, carrots, spinach, etc.)
Additional Ingredients:
- Oil (for greasing and cooking)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for topping)
Instructions:
Preparing the Batter:
- Wash and soak rice and lentils (toor dal, moong dal, chana dal) along with fenugreek seeds in enough water for about 4-6 hours.
- Drain the soaked ingredients and grind them into a smooth batter. Add yogurt and salt while grinding. The batter should be slightly thicker than pancake batter consistency.
- Transfer the batter to a large mixing bowl and let it ferment for about 6-8 hours or overnight in a warm place. The fermentation helps in making the handvo fluffy.
Preparing the Tempering and Batter Mix:
- Heat oil in a pan for tempering. Add mustard seeds and let them crackle.
- Add cumin seeds, asafoetida, turmeric powder, sesame seeds, curry leaves, green chilies, and grated ginger. Sauté for a minute.
- Add the mixed vegetables and sauté for a few minutes until they are slightly cooked. Remove from heat and let it cool.
- Once cooled, add the tempered vegetable mix to the fermented batter and mix well.
Making Handvo:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking pan or a cast-iron skillet generously with oil.
- Pour the prepared batter into the greased pan, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for added flavor and texture.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes or until the handvo turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Cut the handvo into slices and serve it with mint chutney, tamarind chutney, or yogurt.
Enjoy your homemade handvo!
