HANDWA

Handwa or Handvo is a delicious Gujarati snack made with lentils, rice, yoghurt and Indian spices which makes it rich in proteins and vitamins. Handwa is generally a home made healthy snack that is cooked in every Gujarati household.

Handwa is a traditional snack from the Gujarati cuisine which is basically a spicy cake that is prepared from rice and dals. Rice and dals are grinded to till fine and then batter is prepared to cook on tava with vegetables or without vegetable. Handwa tastes superb especially with Chundo (a Gujarati sweet mango pickle). Handvo makes a healthy, wholesome breakfast with the combination of lentils and rice.

This is a spicy and sour cake that requires great skill to prepare even for the native of Western India. Handwa is quick, easy and delicious to make. It tastes excellent with tomato ketchup too. It is an exceptional Gujarati recipe which can be called a savory steamed vegetable cornmeal cake filled with several nutritious ingredients. The flour used in Handwa generally consists of corn, rice and chana dal (lentils) combined with yoghurt, spices and healthy vegetables which is then allowed to ferment before steaming in a vessel. Handwa is a healthy snack which can be relished with chutneys or tea.

Handwa is a wonderful blend of spices, flour, fresh vegetables and yoghurt to make a light snack and a fulfilling meal. Handwa flour is also available and looks like coarsely ground idli flour; it consists of chana dal, rawa and cornmeal. This savory lentil snack comes from the Kathiawad region. The handwa is dense and does not rise as much as the regular cakes. There are various variations in many the handwa where few add bottle gourd or zucchini and some add onions or carrots to get a spongy texture. Handwa makes a great tasty and filling breakfast or snack and is also served some spicy coriander chutney.

For preparing this delicious Gujarati snack, Handwa, firstly soak rice and dal in water for whole night. Grind rice, dal with green chilli, ginger, garlic and cumin seeds. Add dahi and water. Make a fine paste of the above mixture and keep aside for about 5 -6 hours. In a pan heat some oil and add mustard seeds, turmeric powder, hing and fresh curry leaves. Spread it over rice and dal mixture and add salt, freshly chopped coriander leaves and til. Mix well. Heat a non stick pan and spread some oil. Take some mixture and spread into a thick circle. Cook covered on both side till brown and serve hot with spicy chutney.

Tip: To prepare the handwa, you can use the handwa vessel and bake in the oven. The cooking vessel should be of thick bottom. If not, place a tava/griddle on the flame and Handwa cooker on the tava. Handwa can also be cooked in a thick bottom non-stick shallow saucepan. In such case, cover and cook for 12 min. on medium flame. Flip and cook the other side for 10 min.

Do try this delicious recipe and enjoy the flavors of Gujarati food. Click on the below link for detailed recipe:

http://www.vahrehvah.com/Handwa:5484
A slice of savory handwa is exceptionally appetizing as the top crust adds a nutty crunchiness to this soft and savory cake. Gujarati cuisine is very popular for a variety of farsans (side dishes) which includes Dhokla, Khandvi, Samosa chaat, Lilva kachori, Khaman and so on….