Handvo facts for kids
Handvo
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| Alternative names | Haandvo |
|---|---|
| Course | Main course |
| Place of origin | India |
| Serving temperature | Room temperature |
| Main ingredients | Wheat flour, sesame, bottle gourd, lentils |
| Variations | Mixed daal Handvo |
Handvo (Gujarati: હાંડવો) is a yummy, savory cake from Gujarat, India. It is a popular dish in Gujarati cuisine, which is the traditional food of Gujarat. Handvo is often made with a special vegetable called bottle gourd. But you can also add many other vegetables to it. Sometimes, people even add crushed peanuts for extra flavor!
Contents
What is Handvo?
Handvo is like a baked or steamed bread, but it's not sweet like a regular cake. It's full of spices and vegetables, making it a "savory" dish. It's a great way to eat your veggies!
Why is Handvo Special?
Handvo is special because it's usually made from a mix of different grains and lentils. This makes it a healthy and filling meal. It's often served as a main dish or a hearty snack.
How is Handvo Made?
Making Handvo starts with a special batter. This batter is a mix of rice and different types of lentils.
Preparing the Batter
First, the rice and lentils are washed and dried. Then, they are ground into a coarse flour. This flour is mixed with yogurt to create a batter. The yogurt helps the batter to ferment, which means it sits for a while to get a slightly sour taste and a light, airy texture.
Cooking the Handvo
After the batter ferments, it is mixed with more yogurt and many different spices. Vegetables like bottle gourd are also added. The mixture is then either steamed or baked until it becomes a firm, delicious cake. Sometimes, it's even cooked in a special cooker to get a crispy outside.
Different Kinds of Handvo
There are a few ways to make Handvo, each with its own unique twist.
Lentil Variations
Instead of rice, some Handvo recipes use other lentils. For example, you might find Handvo made with moong dal (which are split yellow lentils) or chola dal (split cow peas). These changes give the Handvo a slightly different taste and texture.
Vegetable Handvo
A popular type is called Vegetable Handvo. This version uses gram flour (flour made from chickpeas) as its base. It's packed with vegetables like peas and cabbage. It also includes a mix of spices called garam masala, which gives it a warm, rich flavor.
How to Eat Handvo
Handvo is often enjoyed at room temperature. People usually eat it with a side of pickle (a tangy condiment) or a cup of hot tea. It's a perfect meal for any time of day!
