Whenever we make handvo at home, I always follow the traditional handvo recipe. It is such a hit in our house that I always have to make extra so we can eat it for the next â…” days!
Handvo is basically a favourite in gujarati households. It is a spongy, savoury cake made mostly from lentils. Ginger and chillis are incorporated into the lentil batter to make the handvo lightly spiced. The topping has to be the best part though! Tempered sesame seeds make the topping so delicious and crunchy that that should be a completely different recipe in its own right!
For the first time, however, I've decided to broaden my handvo horizon and make handvo made with potatos. Its basically a layered handvo with an alternating layer of spicy mashed potato and blended peas and crispy layers of toasted Oats !!
The end product was delightful! The slightly sweet, sour and spicy taste of the handvo was still gujarati authenticity but with a twist! Even this was eaten with the same enthusiasm as traditional handvo if not more!
You will need for potato layer:-
- ½ kg boiled and mashed potatoes
- 25 g green chillies and ginger paste or crushed
- 2 tablespoon sugar ( optional )
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- handful fresh chopped corinader leaves
- Salt to taste
You will need for peas layer :-
- 250 g boiled or steamed and crushed green peas ( I used frozen )
- 2-3 tablespoon green chillies and ginger paste
- 1-2 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
- Pinch of hing ( asafoetida )
You will need for vaghar ( tempering ) :-
- 2 tablespoon oil
- 2 tablespoon mustard seeds ( rai )
- 2 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 3-4 dry red chillies
You will need some extra :-
- 3-4 tablespoon rolled oats or beaten rice ( poha )
- 1 teaspoon oil
- small bowl of green chutney
- small bowl of Imli ( tarmarind ) chutney
- Few spoons of garlic chutney
Method :- make peas layer first.
Pre heat oven to gas mark 5-6 .
First heat 1tbsp oil in a heavy bottom pan or kadai, add mustard seeds and hing.
When splutter add sesame seeds and chilli ginger paste, saute for few seconds.
Add crushed peas, salt, garam masala, sugar, lemon juice and mix well.
Cook mixture on a low heat for few minutes , then on high heat for 2-3 minutes.
Make sure mixture is cooked well and dry like kachori or samosa mix.
Leave it aside.
Place all the potato layer ingredients in a large bowl, mix well and leave it aside.
Heat 1tsp oil in another pan and roast rolled oats till light pink or golden.
Leave it aside.
Take one cake tin ( spring form is better ) and grease with little oil.
First Sprinkle 2 tablespoon roasted oats evenly in the cake tin , then spread evenly half amount of potato mixture.
Now pour few spoons of all the chutnies.
Spread all the peas mixture and once again pour few spoons of chutnies.
Now spread another layer of potato mix, spread evenly.
Sprinkle left over roasted oats or poha.
In a small pan heat 2 tablespoon oil, add mustard seeds when splutter, add dry chillies and sesame seeds.
Pour this vaghar evenly on the potato mix.
Bake handvo at least 45-50 minutes in a pre heated oven.
Let it cool at least 15-20 minutes, longer the better so you can cut pieces nicely, but if you prefer HOT then go ahead and don't worry about perfect shape 🙂
Serve with imli and date chutney
Shabnam says
It look so good and delicious. Do you know how many people can it serve. It would be nice if we know as sometimes i make the double the amount afraid it may not be enough. Do you know what diameter pan should i use. I really want to make it. Thanks
Hayley says
@Shabnam, We used a 5" (inch) spring form pan, which served 4. You can double the recipe and either use 2 (5 inch) spring form pans or one larger pan (9 inch should work).
This recipe was posted in 2013, and so is lacking some information. Very soon we will update this post.
Archana says
This is a wonderful n creative twist that I have to try.
Simplyfood says
This is such an interesting recipe, I am definitely going to try it .its very creative and I am sure it tastes super.
Deepali says
Thanks Jagruti for the prompt reply.
I made this handvo today, but the green peas layer was falling off for want of binding.
How can I resolve it?
Thanks & regards,
Deepali
jcookingodyssey says
My pleasure Deepali ! Did you crush peas in a food processor ? make sure to fine crush the peas. Hope this helps 🙂
Deepali says
Lovely innovative recipe!
Have one query, if I use poha instead of oats, do I need to soak them?
Thanks
Deepali
jcookingodyssey says
Hello Deepali
Thank you very much ! No you don't need to soak the poha.
AJ says
Yummy! It's been ages since I made handvo. Your photos inspire to make it again!
jcookingodyssey says
Thank you Apu 🙂
kellie@foodtoglow says
I saw this as the final, stunning image over at Made with Love Mondays. I just had to drop by and say, Wow! It is beautiful. I can almost smell the delicious spicing and aromatics from here in Scotland. I am smiling that you have used oats too 😀
jcookingodyssey says
Thank you Kellie 🙂 With oats it was extra delicious !!
Anonymous says
HI Jagruti, first time commenting on your Blog, though I have been a lurker!
I think your pictures above are absolutely GREAT! The pics caught my eye instantly, and I scrolled down slowwwwly enjoying each frame. The composition is wonderful too. Congrats on a fantastic job, very very well done. Hope there is a contest for Best FoodPics, you will surely win hands down!!
And the recipe is great too!
Continue sharing your talent please, God Bless
Mrs Singh, Malaysia
jcookingodyssey says
Thank you Mrs Singh for your lovely and kind words..:) Please do visit again..
The Yogi Vegetarian says
That looks delectable 🙂
Unknown says
Oh Jagruti that is such a creative way of presenting a Handvo. Love the clicks and the recipe. Looks so yummy.
Anonymous says
we absolutely loved this scrumptious idea for a savory cake,such a delish 🙂
Home Cooked food says
its perfect to feed for meal , forget about snack. love it.
Javelin Warrior says
This cake is just gorgeous, Jagruti! I'm so intrigued by the layers of flavor and texture and the topping definitely looks so tasty!
great-secret-of-life says
So yummy .. Love to try
Shama Nagarajan says
yummy........ONGOING EVENT :SYS EVENT - BEETROOT & SPINACH