Indian Classics # 2 UNDHIYU - Step by step recipe

I have been on a bit of a short break from blogging since I have just been busy with lots of small stuff that needed to be done. Studying, Homeworks and ample dose of utter laziness to the mix and you’ll have some idea why I haven’t got around to sitting down and writing a post.
I have been doing a fair amount of cooking for the blog all through this time, but just haven’t got around to editing the photographs and been able to write up posts to accompany them. 

My recipe for today is a Gujarati special and one of my favorite Undhiyu. Undhiyu is the mixed vegetable casserole kind of dish made with variety of spices and coconut.

"Undhu" in gujarati means upside down. So traditionally it is made in an earthen pot upside down and cooked underground with fire from above. And it is served with Puris.. During uttarayan/Makar sankranti it is specially made !!

Ingredients

Boiled Tuvar lilva - 
Boiled Surti papdi - 
Potatoes - Peeled and cut into cubes
Eggplant/Brinjal - cut into cubes + 2 for stuffing
Sweet potatoes - 2-3 Peeled and cut into cubes 
Banana - 2 
Oil for frying + for cooking
Carom seeds/Ajwain - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds/ jeera - 1tsp
Hing/Asoefoetida - 1 tsp

To make masala you will need

Till sesame seeds - 1/8 cup
Coarsely ground peanuts - 1/8 cup
Red chilli pwder - 3 tbsp
dhana jiru - 2 tbsp
cumin seeds - 1 tsp
hing - 2 tsp
cashews - 12-15
Green garlic - 1/8 cup
Coriander leaves - 1/4 cup
garam masala - 2 tbsp
salt to taste
sugar - 1-2 tbsp
green chili paste - 2 tbsp
ginger paste - 2 tbsp
garlic paste - 2 tbsp
shredded coconut - 1/4 cup
lemon juice - 2 tbsp
Oil - 4-5 tbsp
Raisins - a handful

For Muthiya

Besan - 1/2 cup
Wheat flour - 2-3 tbsp
Methi leaves/ Fenugreek leaves - 1 cup finely chopped
Oil - 3 tbsp
turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Red chili powder - 1 tsp
salt to taste
sugar - 1 tsp 
Ginger green chili paste - 1 1/2 tsp

Method

1. Peel the potatoes , Sweetpotatoes and cut into cubes. Also cut eggplant into cubes leaving 2 for stuffing.
2. Fry potatoes, Eggplant and sweet potatoes untill golden brown.
   
3. Boil both tuvar lilva and papdi in pressure cooker.
   
4. Now we will make masala. In a plate take all the ingredients.
5. Mix everything well with your hands to make a nice crumbly mixture.
6. Now cut the eggplant into slits halfway. Then stuff the mixture in it . And steam it. 
   
   
   
   
7. Now we will make muthiyas. To make a dough take besan and wheat flour in a bowl.
8. Now wash and add methi leaves. Add ginger green chili paste, salt, sugar, turmeric powder, red chili powder and oil. Mix everything well and make a dough using water little at a time. We need semi soft dough. 
9. Once the dough is ready make small dumplings out of it and fry them in oil on a medium flame.
   
10. In a large pan heat about 8-10 tbsp of oil. (you need good amount of oil to make undhiyu but if u are wishing to cut down calories you can use less)
11. Add Ajwain, cumin seeds and 1 tsp of hing. After it crackles turn of the heat and add all the vegetables to it along with beans.
12. Once the veggies mix well with oil add the masala mixture and mix well.
13. Now turn on the heat. Pour about 1/4 cup of water and let it cook for few minutes.
    
14. Now cut the bananas into pieces. Donot peel the banana. ( i made 3 equal pieces from one banana) Then Make a vertical slit on the banana halfway so that the spices and flavors are absorbed inside the banana and seconly when you eat, its easy to peel if you have slit.
    
15. Add bananas and muthiyas in the end. Let it cook for few minutes. serve hot with puris or parathas and dahi..
    
16. Enjoy!!

Happy cooking!!