Easy Semolina Handvo

Handvo, the savory lentil cake, is a traditional Gujarati dish. I loved it the moment I had in Gujarat and took its recipe. Later I got another recipe which is easier to make, with semolina and bottle gourd. Now it is a regular breakfast item in our home. It is so yummy, with the crispy crust and soft inner portion. We have it with green coriander chutney, tomato ketchup or a mix of tomato ketchup and mustard sauce.

Ingredients

1 cup sooji (semolina)

1 cup grated bottle gourd

½ cup yoghurt

1 tsp Eno fruit salt- You get small sachets of Eno salt, one sachet is enough here.

Salt to taste

To season:

1 tbsp sesame oil (or any other oil)

¼ tsp mustard seeds

1 ½ tsp white sesame seeds

1 green chilli cut fine

1 tbsp cut coriander leaves

Instruction

-          Squeeze the grated bottle gourd (keep the squeezed out liquid, we will be using it later)

-          Mix the semolina with grated, squeezed out bottle gourd and beaten yoghurt, keep aside for about 20 minutes.

-          Now heat the sesame oil, add mustard seeds, when they splutter, add the sesame seeds, cut green chilli and coriander leaves. Cover and switch off the flame. Heat a thick bottomed thava, pour some sesame oil on the surface and reduce the flame.

-          Add 1 tsp Eno salt to the bottle gourd juice and mix. Add this, salt, and the seasoning to the semolina mix.

-          Lightly knead and spread it on the oiled thava. Cover it and let it cook for 8 minutes.  

-          Now turn it over, cook for 6 minutes and it is ready to be served. 

-      It is good for breakfast and also as a snack.