Handvo | Oven & Instant pot Recipe

Name: Handvo {Spicy Rice and lentils cake}
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 2½ cups handwa flour; ⅓ cup plain yogurt (or non-dairy yogurt); 1 tablespoon oil; 1½ cup warm water; 1 tablespoon oil; ½ teaspoons mustard seeds; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds; 2 dried red chilies (optional); 3 cups bottle gourd (peeled and grated ); 1 cup carrots (peeled and grated ); 1½ cups methi leaves (finely chopped ); 1 tablespoon ginger (grated); 4 green chilies (minced); 2 teaspoons sugar; ¼ teaspoon turmeric; salt to taste; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds; 1 teaspoon baking soda

Published: Aug 3, 2017 · Modified: Sep 15, 2022 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 90 Comments

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Handvo is a traditional Gujarati savory cake made with rice, lentils, and lots of vegetables like bottle gourd, fenugreek leaves, and carrots. Spiced with fresh ginger and green chilies, tempered with mustard seeds, sesame seeds, and dried red chilies. This wholesome dish can be enjoyed as a meal by itself or with a side of pickle or chutney.

Recipe has been updated to include Instant Pot version of this recipe!

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Variations
Process
Serving
Oven Recipe
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Instant Pot Handvo Recipe
Recipe

I first learned how to make Handvo 12 years ago, when my older son was a baby. We had a nanny who took care of him and cooked amazing meals for us. She would make Handvo at least once a month and I absolutely enjoyed every last bit of it.

I loved it so much that after she was no longer working for us, I called her one day to get the recipe. I have since made it many times and as much as it needs a bunch of ingredients, it is a no-fail recipe and so worth all the time and efforts. The key ingredient in this recipe is the dudhi/lauki/bottle gourd that gives the cake a super moist texture.

Carrots, dudhi & methi on a cutting board

Variations

There are 2 ways of making it. First is a quick method where you simply soak the handvo flour in yogurt, oil, and water overnight. The second method is to soak the rice and 3 types of lentils for 6-8 hours, grind them, and then let the dough ferment overnight. In this recipe, I am using handvo/ondhawa flour that is sold in Indian grocery stores.
I love adding lauki, carrots, and methi to handvo but you can switch up your veggies by using zucchini or spinach.

Process

Here is a step by step recipe. For a printable recipe card and ingredients scroll down to the recipe card:

Step 1: Prep the veggies for handvo. Peel and grate the bottle gourd and carrots. Prepare the methi leaves by taking only the leaves and discarding the thicker stem. Wash few times and then chop finely.

Step 2: Tempering and batter. Make tempering by heating oil. Add mustard seeds and once they start spluttering, turn the heat off, add sesame seeds and dried red chilies. Add all the ingredients in the batter and mix well.

Bowl with the ingredients mixed for handvo

Step 3: Bake. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a baking pan by greasing all the sides and the bottom. Add baking soda to the batter and mix well. (Note - this should be done just before you are ready to pour the batter into the cake pan). Pour the batter into the cake pan, I used a springform pan, but a bundt cake pan or any baking dish works well. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

Bake for 30-45 minutes, checking after the first 25 minutes. For my oven, it takes exactly 25 minutes and then I broil for the last 5 minutes to get a crispy browned top

Let it cool for 20 minutes and then take it out of the baking pan.

Serving

Handvo can be served warm or at room temperature for breakfast, lunch, snack, or dinner. I love to pair mine with some pickle and ginger tea for breakfast. Handvo can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to a week. I like to cut mine into smaller pieces and then reheat each piece for 20 to 30 seconds in the microwave. Handvo makes for a perfect potluck, picnic, or travel food.

Here are some drinks that go well with Handvo:

Fresh Pomegranate Juice - A sweet and healthy drink made from the pomegranate arils
Ginger Tea - Classic British tea with a spicy kick of fresh ginger
Mango Lassi - Smooth and creamy yogurt drink with rich and flavorful aromatic mangoes and saffron
Mulled Apple Cider - Spiced drink scented with warm flavors of cinnamon and cloves
Rose Faluda - An ice cream float with rose syrup, cool sweet basil seeds, thin noodles, and chilled milk

Here are some other recipes similar to the Handvo that I know you will love:

Rava Dhokla - Savory, soft steamed semolina cake lightly spiced with ginger, chilies with a tempering of mustard and sesame seeds
Muthia - Mixed vegetable casserole cooked in earthy spices, ginger, and chilies
Kothimbir Vadi - A spicy cake loaded with fresh cilantro, chili, and garlic
Aloo Chaat - Easy appetizer with spiced potatoes, sweet & tangy chutneys, and lightly sweetened creamy yogurt
Sabudana Vada - Healthy no-fry spicy tapioca and potato fritters

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Oven Recipe

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Instant Pot Handvo Recipe

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Check out HANDVO recipes from of my FAV Indian chefs for variations of this recipe:

Tarla Dalal

Sanjeev Kapoor

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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 in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.

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