Easy Undhiyu, may sound like an oxymoron, but once you read the recipe and I pretty sure you will agree with me and might even award this to be the easiest version!
Traditionally made in a clay pot, Undhiyu is a special gujarati dish made with medley of tubers and veggies likes, purple yam, sweet and regular potatoes, green beans, eggplants, etc. The clay pot is filled with veggies and spices and are then buried in a large underground furnace that is covered with a pile of dried leaves that are set alight.
Otherwise considered as a laborious dish, Undhiyu is extremely convenient and simple to cook for 2 reasons:
- The convenience of frozen, pre-chopped vegetables like purple yam, green beans (surti papdi) and shelled green beans(sutra papdi lilva) that are readily available in Indian grocery stores.
- Using an Instant Pot to layer the veggies and spices and cooking them to perfection without any babysitting.
The spices such as turmeric, ginger, green chili, carom seeds, ground cumin and coriander, ground peanuts and grated coconut add an incredible depth and flavors to this dish. If the list of ingredients looks lengthy, remember that many of the same spices that are using as stuffing in the eggplant are also used to layer over the other veggies.
Although, the hardy veggies can be marinated in the spices before hand, I almost never do that with the Instant Pot. Simply layering them along with the veggies and cooking on low pressure makes this hearty pot of mixed vegetable casserole.
After the veggies are cooked, stir in the pre-cooked steamed dumplings, muthia. And if this dish has started to sound a bit complex, here is another tip – either cook and freeze the muthia (my preferred method, because nothing beats home cooked flavors) or buy the store bought frozen muthia (and I promise these are equally delicious and come in handy.) or skip the muthia.
Either-ways, you will fall in love with the earthy flavors and aromas of this hallmark vegan Gujarati dish.
I often compare this dish to the Maharashtrian mixed vegetable dish, Bhogichi Bhaji, which similar to Undhiyu, is made during the winter months to celebrate the seasons harvest bounty. Both dishes are easy to make in the Instant Pot and very versatile.
PREVIOUSLY
One year ago: Sheer Khurma, Kheema Paav and Corn Poblano Chowder
Two years ago: Pan Fried Pompano and Kale Potato Flatbreads
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- 8 baby eggplants
- 1 medium Idaho potato ,peeled and cubed
- 1 medium sweet potato optional
- 1 cup Indian flat beans /frozen surti papdi
- 1 cup diced violet Indian yam /frozen ratalu
- ½ cup shelled indian flat beans /frozen surti papdi lilva
- 1 tablespoon shredded dry coconut ,lightly roasted
- 1 tablespoon ground peanuts
- 2 teaspoons coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon kashmiri red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup oil
- pinch asafetida /hing
- 1 teaspoon carom seeds /ajwain
- 1 teaspoon hot green chilies ,minced
- 2 teaspoon ginger ,grated
- 2 teaspoon garlic ,grated
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric ground
- 1 tablespoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 tablespoon ground peanuts
- 2 tablespoon shredded dry coconut lightly roasted
- 2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup pre-cooked muthia
- ½ cup coriander leaves chopped for garnish
- Wash the baby eggplants and trim the stems to about 1/2 inch. Starting from the round globe end, cut the eggplants vertically, stopping before you cut into the stem. Make a second, perpendicular cut from the globe end toward the stem, again stopping before you cut into the stem.
- In a small bowl, stir together the coconut, peanuts, coriander powder, red chili powder and salt. Stuff the eggplants by spooning about 1 to 2 teaspoons of the mixture into the slits. Reserve any remaining mixture (you may not use all of it). Reserve the eggplants.
- Set Instant Pot to saute mode and heat oil. Add hing and carom seeds, cook them for a minute or until aromatic.
- Add potatoes, beans, purple yam and shelled beans. Add green chili, ginger and garlic and mix well. Add turmeric, coriander powder, cumin powder, ground peanuts, coconut, salt and sugar. Add water and layer the stuffed eggplants on top. Springle any remaining stuffing mixture on top. Do not mix.
- Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to sealing and cook on low pressure for 4 minutes. Press Cancel and quick release the pressure. Gently take the cooked eggplant out. Add muthia and cilantro and mix gently. Top with reserved eggplant and enjoy hot!
Recipe Video
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Author: Archana
Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
Once again I am intrigued. I am unfamiliar with eggplants but I just so happen to have 2 Japanese eggplants in my refrigerator beconing me to try them. Would they work well in your dish and would you slice them in half?
Thank you! I do love your video segments that you have added.
Hi Heide! Cut the chines eggplant into 2 to 3 inch pieces and then make the cross slits in catch piece. Can’t wait to find out how you like it. Let me know if you have any questions
Great job Archana! Looks delicious (:
Thank you Nick!
Looks delicious and flavourful. Will try it soon!
Thank you! I look forward to your feedback
I have couple packets of frozen mix for undhiyo. Can I substitute that for veggies and just use the masala directly instead of stuffing the brinjals? Should it taste similar?
Hi Chitra, It will come out deliciuos. I have tried it a few times. No need to stuff eggplant either.