When I made the list of dishes, I did not realize that most of the recipes with lentils and beans are a traditional and classic dish from different cuisines. Today I am posting about the ubiquitous Rajma Masala. I have hardly made this dish because the husband hates rajma. For someone who eats most Indian dishes, his hatred for rajma is absolutely perplexing to me. But the only way I have managed to get him to eat this bean is by making a ‘sundal’ with it and adding coconut (lots of coconut).
During our Blogging Marathon meet earlier this year, Preeti of Simply Tadka generously fed us all some amazing rajma masala immediately on our arrival at the airport. I, for one, was blown over by the amazing amalgamation of flavours with the rajma and the dish lingered in my memory long after. Then one day, just like that, I started craving for some rajma magic just like my typical bread and cheese cravings. I simply had to make and devour it at the earliest.
So I ran down to the shop in our apartment complex which is a magical world in itself. You can find almost anything you need there. I have never seen it shut despite going there at all odd hours (because cravings!). The bonus is that the shop owner is from Kerala and so he gets the most amazing banana chips ever. As soon as the chips arrive you can see people grabbing a packet lest the stock runs out. And it does run out pretty fast. The first time I had those chips I knew 2 things – one, those are the fresh-est, tastiest banana chips ever, and two, I am never going to successfully lose weight.
Anyway, back to our dish of the day –
Protein – Rajma / Kidney beans
Recipe adapted from here
WHAT WE NEED
Rajma / Kidney beans 1 cup
Onion, large 1
Tomatoes, medium 3
Garlic cloves 4
Ginger 1″
Green chillies 2
Coriander powder 1 tsp
Red chilly powder 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
Asofoetida a pinch
Garam masala 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp
Kasuri methi 1 tsp
Oil 3 tbsp
Milk 3 tbsp
Water
Salt
WHAT TO DO
- Soak the rajma overnight or for 8 hours
- Drain the water and add 4 cups of water to the rajma
- Pressure cook for 4 whistles and set aside for 15 minutes till the entire pressure from the cooker is released
- Check if the rajma is fully cooked by pressing a bean between your fingers. If it cannot be mashed then cook for another 10 minutes
- Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds
- Finely chop the onions and add to the pan
- Let it cook till the onions start browning
- Grind the ginger, garlic and green chillies to a paste
- Add the paste to the pan, mix and cook for a minute
- Chop the tomatoes and add them to the pan
- Salute for 2-3 minutes till the tomatoes become soft
- Add the spice powders – turmeric, red chilly, coriander, garam masala and asofoetida
- Mix well and cook till the oil starts leaving the sides of the pan
- Drain the water from the rajma and set it aside
- Add the rajma to the pan and mix well
- Add 1 1/2 cups of water that was used to cook the rajma
- Add salt and simmer without a lid for 10-12 minutes
- We need the gravy to thicken slightly and not be watery
- Mash a few rajma beans to thicken the gravy
- Add kasuri methi and milk
- Mix well and simmer for 2 minutes
- Serve with roti or rice
- Enjoy!
This is my post for the Mega Marathon under ‘Protein Rich Dishes’.
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 80
Bread Therapy 
Rajma is a staple at home and is a must once in a weekend, sometimes I get fed up and make the excuse that rajma is finished in the pantry to avoid the mandatory weekly ritual. Believe it or not, I am yet to post it on the blog. I am also going to post similar later in the days. Just need a bowl of steaming hot rice to finish it.
LikeLike
Hi Sowmya, Rajma is a hit or miss dish I think. Same story in my house too. M and Vaandu doesn’t prefer it much. So I end making it as sundal or add in kuzhambu/pitlai if not mexican. errr… Between that’s one comforting bowl with rice.
LikeLike
Somya, the moment I read the title of the post, it took me back to the Delhi airport! I was super hungry and the kiddo loves lentils. I can still recollect the taste of Preeti’s Rajma chawal and Lil Dudes delight on seeing rajma is unforgettable!Anyways, same story here, teh kids and I like rajma chawal whereas the others prefer only sundal. As always enjoyed reading your intro to the post 🙂
LikeLike
Agree with you on the chips and the weight completely. Rajma is something I prepare regularly. It’s a favorite of mine and that’s reason enough even if the family isn’t a fan of it :D.
LikeLike
That day I didn’t taste the rajma because of silly reasons and I know that I missed a great dish. Reading about it kindled those beautiful memories at the airport. Your bowl of rajma looks so good and love to have some with rotis..
LikeLike
This is one awesome dish.. Rajma masala is always a superhit in my house.. Love ur version !!
LikeLike
Sowmya Rajma is “only miss” in my place no one like it so I have never tried making Rajma chawal. Will try making a small quantity your way and see.
LikeLike
i would love to have this rajma masala with steamed rice and a dash of ghee…
LikeLike
Now I am quite shocked to know that there are people who don’t like raajma Chawal , given the choiceI I can eat twice a week at least . Adding milk to raajma is new to me , rest of the recipe is what I cook as well .
Talk of cravings ! Now I am craving for rajma Chawal !
LikeLike
Exactly Vaishali! Glad you think so too.
LikeLike
Lovely tasty looking rajma masala. I love to have it with plain rice. Give rajma chawal to my son in law everyday and he’d be the happiest person on earth 🙂
LikeLike
Everyone’s favourite at home. Rajma Chawal, can survive for many days with it. Now am craving for some Rajma.
LikeLike
Ah you surely reminded me of that day…Preeti’s food was so lip smacking that day and the memories associated are never going to dim off!..Nice to know your story for trying not to reduce weight..hahahaha….I do agree to have something like that close by is a tough thing..
LikeLike
oh I have a similar story on Rajma coming up 😉 won’t spoil the fun , but this looks very comforting ….. I missed the preeti gala rajma, but someday 🙂
LikeLike
Everybody likes rajma in my house,so I make it atleast once for our dinner.Rajma and rice is one such classic combo..
LikeLike
Somehow me and H don’t like rajma. This recipe sounds simple and interesting. Need to try once again.
LikeLike