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Oven-Baked Handvo Recipe (Gujarati Savoury Cake)
Learn how to bake moist handvo cake in the oven at home with this easy-to-follow recipe! My version of this traditional Gujarati savoury cake is made with a healthy blend of semolina and chickpea flours, with thinly sliced cabbage, frozen peas, diced onion and yogurt folded into the cake batter. It’s a healthy cake recipe that we make on-repeat, and devour.
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Ingredients
Handvo batter
- 1½ cup semolina
- ½ cup chickpea flour
- 2 cup yogurt, 2% fat, Are fermented foods good for gut health?
- 3 cup cabbage, green, washed and thinly sliced
- ⅔ cup peas, frozen
- 1 onion, large, diced in very small chunks
- 5 scallions, finely chopped
- 1 cup cilantro, washed, finely chopped
- 2 green chilies, optional - you can add more or less
- ½ tbsp sea salt
- 6 cloves garlic, crushed
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 3 tbsp lemon juice, approximately juice of 1 lemon
- ½ tbsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ENO, fruit salt
Tempering of seed and curry leaves
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp dried curry leaves
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 2 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C or gas mark 4)
- In a large mixing bowl, add semolina, chickpea flour, yogurt, cabbage, peas, onion, scallions, coriander leaves, chillies, salt, garlic, turmeric, and lemon juice and mix well
- Heat the oil in a small pan and fry the curry leaves, mustard and seasme seeds until golden.
- Pour the oil and add it to the semolina-vegetables batter, along with half of the tempered curry leaves and seeds. Mix well. Save the remaining leaves and seeds for the topping
- Add the baking soda and ENO (fruit salt) to the batter. Mix to combine
- Pour batter into a cake pan, using a flat spatula to spread evenly
- Top with the remaining curry leaves and seeds on send to bake for 50-60 minutes
- Bake in the oven for 50-60 mins at 350 F (180 C or gas mark 4). Always check with a fork and make sure it comes out clean — indicating your handvo is cooked through
- Let it cool for at least 20 minutes before removing from the pan and serving
Notes
Tip for the newbie cook
- Perfect Batter - The magic of Handvo is in its golden crust and moist center. This recipe strikes the right balance by using a specific ratio of semolina to chickpea flour. Accurate measurements matter in baking to get that ideal texture.
- Fresh Cilantro - Go for the freshest cilantro you can find. It brings out heaps of flavour, making a real difference to the cake's flavour.
Creative variations to try
- Give your Handvo a fresh twist! Swap carrots for mushrooms or any veggies that pique your interest—it’s your chance to experiment.
- Why not explore new spice blends? Think garam masala with dry ginger powder or curry powder instead of the usual cumin and coriander.
- And there’s more to explore! Consider trying different seasonings—perhaps the creamy indulgence of paneer masala or the zesty tang of chaat masala.
Food safe storage
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- Refrigeration: Once cooled completely, store the Handvo in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in a wrap. It stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Warming Instructions: To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the Handvo slices on a baking sheet and cover loosely with foil to prevent excessive browning. Warm in the oven for about 10-15 minutes until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave individual slices for about 30-45 seconds until warm.
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 237kcal (12%)Carbohydrates: 30g (10%)Protein: 8g (16%)Fat: 10g (15%)Saturated Fat: 2g (10%)Cholesterol: 6mg (2%)Sodium: 577mg (24%)Potassium: 285mg (8%)Fiber: 3g (12%)Sugar: 5g (6%)Vitamin A: 311IU (6%)Vitamin C: 18mg (22%)Calcium: 92mg (9%)Iron: 2mg (11%)
Keep in mind that the nutritional values provided are approximations and suggestions, and might fluctuate depending on ingredient variations, portion sizes, and recipe adjustments. This nutrition facts table cannot account for your individual needs. Your body — including your hunger and satiety cues — change daily. It's perfectly fine to eat more or less on different days. Instead of letting food guilt take over, consider mindful eating.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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