Undhiyu is a hearty and flavorful stew originating from Gujarat, India. This vegetarian dish is traditionally cooked in an earthen pot over a slow fire, allowing the vegetables to meld together and create a symphony of textures and tastes. Undhiyu is typically served with rice or roti, making it a perfect meal for any occasion.

What makes Undhiyu special?

Undhiyu’s uniqueness lies in its combination of ingredients and cooking methods. The dish features a diverse array of vegetables, including brinjals, potatoes, green beans, colocasia, sweet potatoes, and papdi (flat beans). These vegetables are slathered in a fragrant green masala made with coriander, coconut, peanuts, and green chilies. The star of the show, however, is the addition of methi muthia, dumplings made with fenugreek leaves and gram flour.

Cooking Undhiyu: A Journey of Aromas and Flavors

Making undhiyu is a culinary adventure. The preparation involves grinding spices, creating the green masala, stuffing vegetables, and layering them in the earthen pot. As the stew simmers, the aroma of spices and vegetables fills the air, whetting your appetite and creating an anticipation for the deliciousness to come.

Here’s how to make your own undhiyu:

Ingredients:

• For the green masala:
  • 1 inch ginger
  • ¼ cup sesame seeds (roasted)
  • 2 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 7-8 green chilies
  • ¼ cup peanuts
  • 3 tbsp green garlic
• For the dry masala:
  • 2-3 dry red chilies
  • 1 inch cinnamon stick
  • 2-3 bay leaves
  • 4-5 cloves
  • 1 star anise
  • ½ tsp black peppercorns
  • ¼ cup coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • 2 tbsp desiccated coconut
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tsp amchur powder
  • 1 tsp nutmeg powder
  • ¼ tsp nimbu phool
  • ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• For the muthia:
  • 1 ½ cup coarse wheat flour
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • ½ cup methi leaves
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp red chilli powder
  • 1 tsp jeera powder
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Water as required
• For the stuffed veggies:
  • 6-7 bhavnagari chilies
  • 6-7 green brinjals
  • Prepared green paste
• For the steamed veggies:
  • Bhavnagari chili
  • Ravaiya
  • 1 beetroot
  • 1 potato
• For the undhiyu:
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • ¼ tsp hing
  • 1 tbsp ajwain
  • 2-3 potatoes (chopped)
  • ½ cup carrot (chopped)
  • ½ cup tuver
  • ½ cup papdi dana
  • ½ cup sweet potato
  • ½ cup valor papdi
  • ½ cup surti papdi
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tsp red chilli powder
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • 2 tbsp dry undhiyu masala

Instructions:

1. Make the masala: In a mixer jar, add ginger, sesame seeds, coriander, green chilies, peanuts, and green garlic. Grind into a fine paste.
2. Make the dry masala: In a pan, dry roast dry red chilies, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, cloves, star anise, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, and desiccated coconut. Grind into a fine powder.
3. Make the muthia: In a bowl, combine wheat flour, oil, methi leaves, lemon juice, sugar, red chili powder, jeera powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Add water as needed to make a soft dough shape.

Tips for Making the Perfect Undhiyu:

• Use fresh, seasonal vegetables for the best flavor.
• Don’t overcook the vegetables; they should be tender but retain their shape.
• Adjust the spice level to your preference.
• Serve undhiyu hot with rice or roti for a complete meal.

Beyond the Recipe: The Undhiyu Experience

Undhiyu is more than just a collection of ingredients; it’s an experience that engages all your senses. The vibrant colors of the vegetables, the intoxicating aroma of the spices, and the comforting warmth of the dish create a sensory feast that is truly unforgettable. So, the next time you find yourself craving a taste of India, give undhiyu a try. You might just discover your new favorite dish.

I hope this blog post has inspired you to try your hand at making undhiyu. With its simple yet flavorful ingredients and rich culinary heritage, undhiyu is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

Happy Cooking!

P.S. Don’t forget to share your undhiyu creations with us on social media! Use the hashtag #undhiyulove to spread the joy of this delicious dish.