# 269 Handvo -a Steamed, Savory Veggie Lentil Cake

Happy St Patrick's day to all my Irish friends! Let's go green today--- Oh no, I'm not talking about the environment, or shamrocks (3 leaf clovers) that drive away evil spirits, I meant green food. On this day of the festival of Patrick I'm re-creating a green recipe from Tarla Dalal and her delicious collection of veggie recipes. The Irish celebration is not in any way related to Tarla Dalal- but it's time for my pure-vegetarian spin and so I'm out to get my fill of healthy veggies today. I remembered that she always has a variety of savory and satisfying veggie tidbits from the state of Gujarat and  that's what led me to this green snack!

Handvo is usually made of pulses, wheat, rice, yogurt, oil, sugar, baking powder, cilantro, ginger and green chillies. There are so many variations and the little cakes may be served with cilantro/mint chutney or eaten just plain since they are loaded with nutrition and flavor. I happened to taste Handvo for the first time a few months back, and to me it was yet another version of Dhokla only it had a lot more veggies and is loaded with protein, so I'm making my version of  Ms Dalal's Moong Handvo. What  caught my eye was that this Handvo could be baked in the oven.  I always thought it was steamed but this turned out to be awesome!!!

For the handvo
1 cup moong dal (split green gram)
2 1/4 cups finely chopped spinach (palak)
2 tbsp yoghurt
1 tsp level soda-bi-carb
3 tbsp chopped coriander (dhania)
8 to 10 green chillies, chopped
ginger chopped-1/2 tspn
1/2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tspn asafoetida (hing)
2 tbsp oil
salt to taste


For the tempering
1 tsp mustard seeds
1small onion, chopped
1 tsp sesame seeds (til)
1-2 Tablespoon grated coconut
a pinch asafoetida (hing)

Method
1.Soak the moong dal overnight or at least for 5 hours.
2.Grind into a coarse paste.
3.Add the spinach, yoghurt, soda bi-carb, coriander, green chillies, lemon juice, asafoetida and salt.
4.For the tempering, heat the oil and fry the mustard seeds until they crackle. Add the onion, sesame seeds,coconut and asafoetida. Mix into the moong dal mixture or keep aside and spread half the mixture over the Handvo after baking.
5.Spread the mixture in a well greased baking tray.
6.Bake in a hot oven at 400 degree F for 20 minutes or until golden brown in colour.