Mixed Dal Handvo

A Gujarati delicacy. Handvo is a baked or steamed cake full of proteins. It seems that whenever I make this recipe I improvise. It is very easy but of course a pre-planned recipe. It had been two days since we did not include dals in our meals. So I thought of making this mixed dal hadvo which will in disguise add dals to our diet. I did the preparations. And as you all know that at last we always keep the batter to ferment. I know you’ll laugh, but you know, I love stirring the fermented batter. Those air bubbles in it are just so cute.

Let us start cooking!!!

Ingredients:
Basmati Rice: ¼ cup
Par-Boiled Rice (Ukda): ¼ cup
Mixed Dal: ½ cup (Masoor dal, Urad dal, Chana dal, Moong Dal, tuvar dal (all skinless dals))
Bottle Gourd: 1 cup grated
Ginger-Garlic-Green Chilly Paste: 1/2 tbsp
Red Chilly Powder: 1 tsp
Coriander Powder: 2 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil: 2 tbsp
Mustard Seeds: 2 tsp
Cumin seeds: 2 tsp
Curry Leaves: 10-12
Sesame Seeds: 3 tbsp
Coriander leaves: 2 tbsp finely chopped
Fruit Salt: 1 tsp
Sugar: 1 tbsp (Optional)

Method:
1. Wash rice and dals separately and soak them overnight.
2. Next day by adding very little water grind rice and dals separately. Grind the rice coarsely and dals into a smooth paste.
3. Mix both the batter properly. Cover the vessel and keep it in a warm place for 8-10 hours for fermentation.

4. After the time you’ll see that the batter has risen.

5. Stir it well.
6. Add bottle gourd, ginger-garlic-green chilly paste, red chilly powder, coriander powder, sugar, coriander leaves and salt. Mix well.

7. In a different pan heat oil. Add mustard seeds. Let them splutter. Add curry leaves and cumin seeds and fry for a few seconds. Add 2 tbsp sesame seeds and let them crackle. Pour this tempering into the handvo mixture. Stir well.

8. The batter consistency should not be very liquid or tight.
9. Add fruit salt and stir well. Stop as soon as you see bubbles coming up.
10. Now there are two (as far as I know ;-)) ways of making Handvo.
a. Directly in a pan
b. Bake
11. I baked it.
12. Pre heat the oven. Grease a baking dish and pour the batter into it. Sprinkle the remaining sesame seeds on the top and keep it for baking. Bake it for around 30 minutes.

13. Check if the handvo is prepared or not by inserting a knife into it. If the knife comes out clean it means the handvo is done.

14. Take out the handvo and cut into pieces.
15. Serve hot with green chutney or tomato ketcup.

Tips:
1. You can always add vegetables of your choice.
2. If the climate is cold then put the batter vessel in a closed place like oven where the fermentation process will be fast.
3. Always grind the rice and dals separately.
4. Rice should always be coarsely ground.
5. If you want to make it in a pan then take a non stick pan. Add oil to it. Let it heat. Add sesame seeds and then pour the batter. Cover and cook it from both the sides.
6. Always keep the batter in a big vessel as it will get space to rise otherwise it might spill off.

See you soon with a new recipe till then Happy Cooking!!!