Millet Handvo – My Healthy Indian-Style Comfort

January 30, 2026

Millet Handvo – My Healthy Indian-Style Comfort

Some recipes don’t belong to just one state or one culture. They belong to every kitchen where food is cooked with love. Handvo is one such dish for me. I learnt it, adapted it, made it healthier, and slowly it became a part of my home food routine.

This is not a traditional Gujarati handvo, it is my version – made with ragi, bajra and besan, without baking soda or eno. Slow, natural, wholesome and very satisfying. I love how this recipe teaches patience. You mix the batter, let it rest, let flavours develop, and then cook it slowly. Just like life, not everything needs to be rushed.

This handvo is perfect when you want something filling, healthy and comforting without feeling heavy afterwards.

🌾 Healthy Handvo (No Eno, No Baking Soda)

Ingredients

For batter:

Ragi – 1 bowl
Bajra – 1 bowl
Besan – 1 bowl
Curd – 1 bowl
Salt – to taste
Water – as required

Vegetables:

Bottle gourd – 1, grated
Carrots – 3, grated

Spices & add-ins:

Sesame seeds
Mustard seeds
Carom seeds (Ajwain)
Coriander seed powder
Cumin seed powder
Kashmiri red chilli powder
Turmeric
Hing
Oil

Optional but recommended:

Ginger
Green chilli
Curry leaves
Coriander leaves
Crushed peanuts or seeds

Step 1: Batter First, Always

Mix ragi, bajra, besan, curd and salt.
Add little water and make a thick pouring batter.
Cover and rest for 30–60 minutes for natural fermentation.

While it rests, grate your vegetables.
Squeeze water from bottle gourd and keep aside.

Step 2: Add Life to the Batter

After resting, add:

Grated veggies
Spices (except Musturd and Sesame seeds)
Ginger, chilli
Hing and coriander leaves

Mix gently.

Note from my kitchen:

“Today I skipped the resting time and mixed everything together directly. Sometimes cooking is not about perfection, it’s about flow. Even without fermentation, this handvo turned out wholesome, hearty and comforting. Because good food doesn’t always need rules, it just needs love.”