 |
| Rava Handvo |
I have always loved this typical Gujarati
dish handvo, but have not made as it has been an elaborate recipe and required
a specific utensil, the handvo cooker. We had one of these when I was growing up.
My mother used to soak the lentils and rice overnight and, in the morning, it
was ground in a stone motor pestle. Then the cooker was readied. In the picture
you will see the small pan which is filled with sand and placed on the gas hob.
The large pan which is shaped like a ring mould is placed on top and tempering
prepared. Once the mustard crackles the handvo mixture which is fairly thick is
poured in. The lid placed and this delicious mixture bakes slowly. Also, to
make it soft my mother used to add some grated bottle gourd / doodhi.
 |
| Handvo Cooker |
Now you can get a ready mixed
flour where you add the water and any vegetables you want and place it in an
oven dish and bake it. I have tried this once but was never convinced about it
as there are many additives. So, when I saw a recipe where I can cook it on the
hob in a frying pan and I did not have to soak and grind ingredients as well as
without overnight prepping I was sold.
Ingredients
For Dough Mix
- 1 cup rava /semolina (I have used coarse as that’s what I had but you can use fine one too)
- ½ cup yogurt
- 1 cup water
- ½ teaspoon Eno fruit salt or baking soda
- 1 large courgette/zucchini grated using large grater
- 1 inch of finely chopped ginger
- 2 green chillies finely chopped (adjust according to taste or even leave it out)
- Handful of coriander finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt to taste
For Tempering
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds
- 10 – 15 curry leaves
- A big pinch of asafoetida
- 1 – 1 ½ teaspoon of white sesame seeds
Method
- In a clean large bowl put the rava and yogurt. Start mixing with a spoon. Add water slowly and till you get a good thick batter.
- Set it aside for 10 – 15 mins as the water will get absorbed and further thicken the batter. Add a little more water to loosen the batter so that it can just be poured into the frying pan.
- While the batter is resting grate the courgette, chop the ginger, chillies and coriander.
- Once prepared add the vegetables and herbs to the batter. Stir well and add a tablespoon of oil plus the Eno fruit salt and table salt to taste.
- Heat the oil for tempering in the frying pan with mustard seeds. Once the mustard seeds begin to crackle add asafoetida and curry leaves. As the leaves begin to fry add the sesame seeds. Swirl the oil around so sesame seeds get coated.
- Pour the batter into the frying pan and shake it to ensure it is evenly spread. Turn the hob to low gas flame or minimum on the electric hob. Put a lid on the frying pan so the handvo cooks in the steam that is generated.
- This slow cooking for about 20 minute allows the bottom to crisp up and the edges to come away from the side. The top is also set but not completely.
- Slide the handvo on to a plate and then flip it back into the frying pan so that the other side can be cooked.
- Cover the frying pan with the lid again and leave to crisp up for another 10 – 15 minutes.
- Slide it into a plate (tempered side up) and cut into slices like a pizza.
Tips
- Serve it with some coriander and chilli chutney or ketchup or any other condiment that takes your fancy.
- The texture of the inside of the handvo was pretty soft as the courgette had melted totally. This makes me think addition of slightly firmer vegetables will give a crunch as well as thickness to the handva.
- If the yogurt s slightly sour it gives a nice tang to the final dish.
- You can use vegetable to peanut oil instead of olive oil. You can omit the tablespoon of oil that goes into the mixing of the batter to reduce the fat content.
- After this success I will try adding other vegetables too. Grated carrot, finely sliced or shredded runner beans, finely chopped onions, cabbage, maybe peas, capsicum can be tried. Some suggest even adding garlic but personally am not sure it will make a good match but feel free to try.
- This picture of the prepared handvo is what you get for the ingredient quantities stated and serves 2.
 |
| 2 portions as a meal or 4 as a snack or starter |
