This very popular vegetarian dish, is almost a compulsory part of a menu on special occasions in Punjab. It is so simple to make and yet quite delicious, an excellent source of proteins for the vegetarians. Those of you who live in the West, can use tinned, boiled kidney beans in brine, to save time and to make it a quick dish to prepare. It is traditionally served with plain, boiled Basmati rice, as part of a combination referred to as “Rajma-chawal”. Left-over Rajma always tastes much better next day and can be frozen in portions, for re-heating later, so cook extra! This dish can be made with Adzuki beans as well. Serves 6-10
Ingredients
| • | For boiling kidney beans |
| • | 500 gm. kidney beans or rajma |
| • | One large or two medium onions (225-250 gm.), peeled |
| • | 3-4 cloves or laung/lavang) |
| • | 2-3 large cardamoms or badi illaichi |
| • | 1 inch piece of cinnamon or dalchini |
| • | 2 bay leaves or tej-patta |
| • | 5-6 whole black peppers or kali mirch |
| • | 1 tbs. oil |
| • | For making Curry Gravy: |
| • | 3 tbs. cooking oil |
| • | 1/2 tsp. whole cumin seeds or jeera |
| • | 2-4 garlic cloves, peeled |
| • | 1 inch square piece of ginger, peeled |
| • | 2 medium onions, peeled and roughly chopped |
| • | 2-3 medium tomatoes (175-200 gm.), washed and chopped or 200 gm. tinned, peeled tomatoes |
| • | 1 level tsp. turmeric or haldi |
| • | 1 1/2 tsp. coriander powder or dhania |
| • | 1 tsp. cumin powder |
| • | 1/2 tsp. chill powder or lal mirch, adjust to taste |
| • | Salt to taste |
| • | 1/4 tsp. Garam Masala |
| • | 2-3 cups water (adjust to your requirement) |
| • | A small bunch of coriander leaves |
Instructions
| 1. | If using uncooked kidney beans, clean, wash & soak them overnight (or minimum 5-6 hours) in water. They need to be hydrated fully to cook nicely. |
| 2. | Place kidney beans, whole spices and 1 tbs. oil in a pressure cooker and cook under full pressure for about 15 minutes. If you do not have a pressure cooker, boil briskly, until tender. This may take upto 40 minutes-1 hour. Cool and open pressure cooker. |
| 3. | If using tinned kidney beans, drain and rinse them. Tinned kidney beans can be a little sweet, hence the need to drain and rinse. |
| 4. | Grind onions, ginger and garlic in a food processor, all together or chop finely. |
| 5. | Measure all ground spices and keep aside in a bowl, keeping garam masala separate. |
| 6. | Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan. |
| 7. | Add cumin seeds and wait until they crackle/splutter. |
| 8. | Add onions, garlic and ginger mix and fry until onions are nicely browned. |
| 9. | Add turmeric, coriander powder, chilli powder and salt. Stir for 10-15 seconds (don't let the spices burn). |
| 10. | Add tomatoes and fry until oil begins to separate. |
| 11. | Add to kidney beans and stir for a minute or two. |
| 12. | Add water, if required. The amount depends upon how thick you want the gravy to be. Let the beans boil briskly for a few minutes. You can cook under pressure for 1 minute instead. |
| 13. | Taste and adjust salt, chilli etc. |
| 14. | Crush a few kidney beans with a spatula, to give it a thicker, mushy looking gravy. |
| 15. | Add garam masala, half the coriander leaves & mix. Turn heat off. |
| 16. | Close the lid to allow the flavour to infuse. |
| 17. | Place in serving bowl & garnish with the rest of coriander leaves. |
| 18. | Serve hot with Tandoori Roti or Chapatti and Boiled Rice. |
| 19. | Leftover curry can be cooked with basmati rice, to make a kidney bean pulao/pilaf. |
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