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    Home » Indian Vegan Recipes

    Diwani Handi Vegetables

    Published: Sep 27, 2021 by Richa 20 Comments

    Jump to Recipe   Print Recipe

    Learn how to make restaurant-style Diwani Handi Vegetables at home with this easy handi veg recipe. Mixed vegetables and cashews simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce. Gluten-free & soy-free, Nutfree option.

    a sauteeing pan with vegetables mixed with creamy gravy

    Diwani Handi is a popular order in many Indian restaurants and I know you will love it, too! Veggies cooked to perfection in a thick, rich and creamy slightly spicy gravy. This traditional Indian dish also known as Diwani handi veg is a traditional Hyderabadi style dish that exists in many different versions. The most popular variations to this recipe feature either an onion tomato or a nut-based gravy, or a combination of both. For this recipe, I use a tomato-based gravy enriched with non-dairy yogurt or cream.

    vegan diwani handi served with a side of rice

    This diwani handi recipe is a simple homemade version of the restaurant-style vegetable dish. This simple vegetable curry is traditionally cooked in a clay pot (handi) but any pot will work. I use a regular skillet.

    Indian recipes often get translated as veggies or protein with some creamy sauce. But they are not all the same. The spices used, the time at which they are added to the recipe, alter the flavor profile significantly. In this recipe the whole cumin seeds get toasted really well to add amazing flavor, the spices cook with the caramelizing onion, then yogurt adds a creamy base and onion and tomato add volume. Veggies are cooked with garlic and fenugreek to infuse a layer of flavor before simmering in the sauce.l! Use up any veggies you have and elevate them with this wildly flavorful curry.

    Serve your handi veg with rice, naan, roti, kulcha, plain biryani or jeera rice.

    Diwani Handi Vegetables with tomato gravy served with rice

    More Indian veggie dishes to try:

    • Butter Tofu GF
    • IP Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce , with Cauliflower. GF
    • Tofu Amritsari Masala.GF
    • Madras chili tofu and mushrooms
    • Balti sauce veggies 
    • Mushroom Matar Masala GF
    • Bombay Potato and Peas GF
    • Tofu in Spinach Curry – Palak Tofu GF

    Print Recipe
    5 from 8 votes

    Vegan Diwani Handi Vegetables

    Learn how to make restaurant-style Diwani Handi Vegetables at home with this easy handi veg recipe. Mixed vegetables and cashew nuts simmered in a rich tomato-based gravy. Gluten-free & soy-free, nut-free option. 
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time45 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian
    Keyword: diwani handi
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 185kcal
    Author: Vegan Richa

    Ingredients

    For the sauce:

    • 2 teaspoons oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 1 cup thinly sliced onion
    • 1/2 inch ginger minced
    • 1/2 hot green chili minced (serrano or use any mild green Chile or 1 tbsp chopped green pepper)
    • 1/2 teaspoon paprika Or Kashmiri red chili powder
    • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
    • 1/3 cup (78.86 ml) non-dairy yogurt or use any non-dairy cream of choice
    • 2/3 cup (163.33 g) tomato puree or unseasoned tomato sauce about 4 ounces
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 cup or more water

    For the vegetables:

    • 1 teaspoon oil
    • 2 garlic cloves thinly sliced
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 3 tablespoons raw cashews you can also use roasted unsalted cashews
    • 1 1/2 cups (150 g) of cauliflower florets
    • 1/2 cup (65 g) chopped carrots
    • 1 cup (200 g) chopped potatoes
    • 1/2 to 1 cup (90 g) of other vegetables of choice
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • cilantro and lemon juice for garnish

    Instructions

    • Make the sauce: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is really hot, add in the cumin seeds and bay leaves and cook until the cumin seeds are very fragrant.
    • Then add in onion, a pinch of salt, and mix well and cook for 2 minutes then add in the ginger and chili and mix well and continue to cook until the onion is nearly golden brown.
    • Add in the paprika, ground coriander, and mix well.
    • Then add in yogurt and the tomato puree and salt and mix well. Bring to a good boil then add in the water. Mix well and set aside.
    • To make the vegetables: heat another skillet over medium-high heat. Add in 1 teaspoon of oil. Once hot, add in the garlic cloves, fenugreek leaves, and mix. Then cook until the garlic is just starting to turn golden.
    • Then quickly add in the ground cumin and cashews and mix well. Cook until the cashews start to turn golden. You want to stir frequently so that the garlic doesn't burn.
    • Add in the cauliflower, carrots, potatoes, and vegetables, and salt and mix well. Toss well to coat. Cook uncovered for 4-5 minutes.
    • Stir occasionally then cover the skillet, Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the vegetables are just about done.
    • Add in the sauce and mix well. Bring it to a boil. Taste and adjust salt and flavor. If you want saucier dish then add in  1/2 to 1 cup of non-dairy milk and bring to a boil then take off heat. Add quick cooking veggies if using, such as peas now.
    • Taste and adjust flavor. Fish out the bay leaves. Top with cilantro, pepper flakes if you like, and lemon juice, and serve with roti, naan , or rice.

    Video

    Notes

    To make this nut-free, just omit the cashews. You can also add in some pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds instead.
    You can use sweet potatoes or cubed butternut squash instead of the potatoes. Make sure to cut them all into same-sized cubes
    Storage: refrigerate for upto 3 days

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Diwani Handi Vegetables
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 185 Calories from Fat 63
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 7g11%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Sodium 489mg21%
    Potassium 729mg21%
    Carbohydrates 28g9%
    Fiber 5g21%
    Sugar 7g8%
    Protein 7g14%
    Vitamin A 4186IU84%
    Vitamin C 49mg59%
    Calcium 73mg7%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Ingredients:

    • As with many Indian sauces, we start by sauteeing onion, ginger, and chili
    • the gravy is seasoned with cumin seeds, bay leaves, paprika, and coriander
    • tomato puree or unseasoned tomato sauce is the base of our gravy
    • for richness, I add non-dairy yogurt but you can use any non-dairy cream of choice
    • For the vegetables, I go with cauliflower florets, carrots,  bell pepper, potatoes or other vegetables of choice
    • for some crunch, I add raw cashews to the vegetables but you can also use roasted unsalted cashews
    • cilantro and lemon juice for garnish

    Tips & Substitutions:

    • To make this nut-free, just omit the cashews. You can also add in some pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds instead
    • For a less spicy version, omit the chili
    • You can use sweet potatoes or cubed butternut squash instead of the potatoes. Make sure to cut them all into same-sized cubes to allow for even cooking.

    ingredients used for making vegan diwani handi vegetables

    How to make Diwani Handi Vegetables:

    garlic, ginger and spiced being fried in oil

    Make the sauce: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is really hot, add in the cumin seeds and bay leaves and cook until the cumin seeds are very fragrant.

    onion and spiced being fried in a pan

    Then add in your onion, a pinch of salt, and mix well and cook for 2 minutes then add in the ginger and chili and mix well and continue to cook until the onion is nearly golden brown.

    spices being added to sauteed onion

    Add in the paprika, ground coriander, and mix well.

    spices and onion being sauteed in a pan

    Then add in your yogurt and the tomato puree and salt and mix well.

    tomato puree and yogurt being added to make Indian gravy in a sauteeing pan

    Bring to a good boil then add in the water. Mix well and set aside.

    non-dairy yogurt being stirred into the Indian tomato gravy


    To make the vegetables, heat another skillet over medium-high heat.

    Add in 1 teaspoon of oil.

    Once hot, add in the garlic cloves, fenugreek leaves, and mix. Then cook until the garlic is just starting to turn golden.

    cashew nuts, garlic, and spices in a black frying pan

    Then quickly add in the ground cumin and cashews and mix well.

    garlic and cashew nuts in a sauteeing pan

    Cook until the cashews start to turn golden.

    vegetables in a black frying pan

    You want to stir frequently so that the garlic doesn’t burn.

    Add in the cauliflower, carrots, potatoes, and vegetables, and salt and mix well.

    Toss well to coat.

    creamy gravy being added to vegetables in a frying pan

    Cook uncovered for 4-5 minutes.

    Stir occasionally then cover the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the vegetables are just about done.

    Add in the sauce and mix well. Bring it to a boil.

    gravy and vegetables being mixed in a sauteeing pan to make diwani handi

    Taste and adjust salt and flavor.

    If you want saucier dish then add in  1/2 to 1 cup of non-dairy milk and bring to a boil then take off heat.

    Taste and adjust flavor. Top with cilantro, pepper flakes if you like, and lemon juice, and serve with roti, nan, or rice.

    diwani handi vegetables in a white bowl served with a side of rice

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    1. Anna

      October 10, 2022 at 5:44 am

      5 stars
      I just made this, came out incredible! Thank you for the recipe <3
      I had a pattypan squash on hand, so used that in place of your listed veggies and I also added some pre-cooked beans for extra protein. I love how versatile this is!

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        October 11, 2022 at 7:49 pm

        Those squash are so cute 🎃

        Reply
    2. Sue

      February 23, 2022 at 7:11 am

      5 stars
      This was creamy comfort food! Thanks Richa.

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        February 24, 2022 at 10:55 am

        perfect for winter, thanks Sue

        Reply
    3. Claudia

      January 12, 2022 at 7:38 am

      5 stars
      soo good!! You are killing it this year (and the years before as well)! Last year i just couldn’t cook a meal that i liked, no matter from whom the recipe was. This year i’m focusing on your recipes and I am loving it!! Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 12, 2022 at 7:21 pm

        There’s lots coming the year! I’ve been researching a lot of Indian regional recipes!

        Reply
    4. Keren

      December 26, 2021 at 5:27 am

      5 stars
      This is absolutely delicious. I used more potatoes, with some other vegetables I’d needed to use. My cream was the upper part of a can of coconut milk. Wonderful recipe! I’m savouring every bite.

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        December 28, 2021 at 11:28 am

        great to hear Keren

        Reply
    5. Laura Shank

      October 16, 2021 at 8:46 am

      5 stars
      My entire family loved this dish! I’m thinking of adding a can of chickpeas next time for some extra protein. YUMMY!

      Reply
      • Richa

        October 16, 2021 at 6:23 pm

        Awesome!

        Reply
    6. Crystal

      October 03, 2021 at 11:07 am

      5 stars
      This was delicious.

      Reply
      • Richa

        October 03, 2021 at 7:06 pm

        Thanks!!

        Reply
    7. Maneesha

      September 30, 2021 at 11:45 am

      5 stars
      AMAZING RECIPE, RICHA! I love the sauce! Thanks so much for always having DA BEST curry recipes! Loved it!

      Reply
      • Richa

        September 30, 2021 at 2:23 pm

        Yay!!

        Reply
    8. Emily

      September 29, 2021 at 8:25 am

      5 stars
      This was fabulous! Kids ate it all up!

      Reply
      • Richa

        September 29, 2021 at 11:46 am

        Yay

        Reply
    9. Sandy

      September 27, 2021 at 12:17 pm

      Can this recipe be made without the use of oil?

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        October 01, 2021 at 2:07 pm

        sure – just use broth instead

        Reply
    10. diana

      September 27, 2021 at 6:25 am

      When do I take out the bay leaves?
      My cousin is a complete vegan, no gluten, no nightshades and on and on. She has parkinsons disease and it can be difficult to find what she will eat. She will love this dish. I can substitute the potatoes with other veggies. It looks wonderful.

      Reply
      • Richa

        September 27, 2021 at 8:33 am

        Just before serving

        Reply

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