Rajma North Indian Kidney Bean Masala Recipes

RAJMA RECIPE (PUNJABI RAJMA MASALA)

Steps:

• Add rajma to a large bowl and rinse them well with water thrice. Drain and soak them in enough water for at least 8 hours and up to 12 hours. Do not cover the bowl while you soak. You may spread a thin cotton cloth so the beans don't turn sticky.
• When you are ready to cook, drain the water and rinse them very well with fresh water at least twice and drain completely.
• Chop the onions finely and puree the tomatoes. Keep them aside.
• Add ghee or oil to a pressure cooker. Heat it on a medium heat.
• When the ghee melts, saute ginger garlic and green chilies for a minute just until it begins to smell good.
• Add the chopped onions and sprinkle salt. Saute until the onions turn golden and about to caramelize.
• Turn off the stove. Now add all the spices - red chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala and turmeric.
• Mix everything well and add drained rajma and pour 2 ¼ cups water. Mix everything well and loosen any bits of spices or onions stuck at the bottom of the cooker.
• Cover the pressure cooker and cook on a medium heat until you hear 4 to 6 whistles, depending on the kind of pressure cooker and the age of your rajma.
• While the rajma cooks, pour the tomato puree to a small pot or pan and cook it on a medium heat, for 6 to 7 mins until the raw smell disappears completely. Keep the pan slightly covered to prevent splatters. Keep this aside.
• When the pressure in the cooker drops, open the lid and check. Rajma will be fully cooked. To check mash a rajma, it has to be soft and get mashed very well. It should not have a bite to it. If you think they are undercooked, simply cook for a few more whistles.
• Add the cooked tomato puree to the hot rajma and mix well. If required you may add more hot boiling water to adjust the consistency.
• Bring this to a boil and cook for 3 to 4 mins, until it reaches a desired consistency. Taste test and add more salt and garam masala if required. Crush kasuri methi in your hands and sprinkle it. Stir in the cream (optional).
• Garnish rajma masala with chopped coriander leaves and ginger juliennes.
• Press Saute button and Pour ghee to the steel insert. Add ginger garlic and chilies. Saute for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Add onions and salt. Saute for about 5 minutes stirring constantly to cook evenly until golden, about to caramelize.
• Add all the spice powders and press cancel. Stir well. Add rajma and pour 2 cups water. Deglaze to release any bits of food stuck at the bottom.
• Place a trivet and keep the bowl of tomato puree over that. Secure the IP with the lid and pressure cook for 20 mins (for softer beans, if you prefer al dente - 18 mins).
• When the pressure drops, open the IP. Rajma is super soft. Pour the tomato puree and cook for 2 to 3 mins on saute mode. If required pour about ½ to ¾ cup water to bring to runny consistency. Taste test and add more salt, ¼ teaspoon garam masala, cream (optional) and crushed kasuri methi. Press cancel.
• Garnish with coriander leaves and ginger juliennes. Serve rajma with chawal. Drizzle some lemon juice.
• To Cook Rajma in a pot without cooker: Soak 1 cup rajma in water overnight with ¾ teaspoon salt or ¾ teaspoon baking soda. Rinse well. Pour 3 cups water and bring to a rolling boil. Lower the heat & Cook uncovered until tender and soft. Or alternately use 2 - 15 Oz cans, drain the liquid and rinse them well. Rajma should be soft and has to easily get mashed.
• To Pressure Cook: Pour 2 cups water to overnight soaked rajma and pressure cook until soft, for 4 to 5 whistles. Or in the instant pot for 18 mins.
• Optional - You may boil the diced onions for 3 to 4 minutes and then puree to a smooth paste in a grinder. For the tomato puree you may add 2 tablespoons cooked rajma for a thicker texture. Both these will give you smooth gravy but are optional.
• Heat ghee in a pan or pot. Saute ginger garlic and green chilli for 1 minute, without burning.
• On a medium heat, saute onions with salt until golden and about to get caramelized, but not burnt. Add the spices - chili powder, garam masala, coriander powder, cumin powder and turmeric.
• Stir well and add tomato puree. Cook on a medium heat stirring constantly until the onion tomato masala thickens and begins to smell aromatic. It should lose the raw flavor of tomatoes.
• Add the rajma along with the stock (rajma cooked water). Pour ¼ to ½ cup more water or as required. Mix well and simmer for 10 to 15 mins, until slightly thick. (If using canned beans, use more water as required to bring it to a consistency).
• Taste test and add more salt, ¼ teaspoon garam masala if required and crushed kasuri methi. Optionally you may stir in cream and garnish with coriander leaves and ginger juliennes. Squeeze some lemon juice. Serve rajma with chawal.

RAJMA (INDIAN RED KIDNEY BEAN CURRY)

Steps:

• In a medium pot, heat oil. When hot, add cumin.
• Once the cumin begins to brown, add the garlic and ginger. Let it cook for 1 min, stir constantly.
• Add onions and stir until onion turns clear and add the tomato sauce.
• Keep stirring the sauce until it's slightly thickens and begins to separate a bit from the oil.
• Add the Rajma masala, salt and chili powder and stirl for 2-3 minutes.
• Last, throw in the two cans of kidney beans, undrained. Let it cook for 5-6 mins, stirring occasionally.
• You adjust the spices accordingly, while tasting along.
• Serve with some sliced onions, a lemon wedge and garnish with some chopped coriander. Enjoy!

KIDNEY BEAN CHILI, INDIAN STYLE (RAJMA IN MASALA)

Steps:

• Wash the kidney beans well and soak in water overnight.
• Next morning, steam them until tender; or cook in a large pot of water for about an hour or until tender.
• Remove 1/2 cup of cooked beans, crush coarsely and keep aside.
• Grind 1 onion, ginger, coriander seeds, chili peppers, cumin, turmeric, peppercorns, and cinnamon to a very fine paste.
• Heat ghee in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add the chopped onions and saute until golden brown.
• Add the ground paste and saute, sprinkling water occasionally, until the ghee starts separating from the paste.
• Add the cooked beans (not the crushed beans), stir for a while and add salt and dried mango powder.
• Pour 3 cups of water and add the crushed beans.
• Mix well and bring to a boil, twice.
• Serve hot over steamed rice, chappatis, or whole-wheat tortillas.

RAJMA (NORTH INDIAN KIDNEY BEAN MASALA)

Steps:

• Drain beans and rinse thoroughly.
• Combine beans, half the garlic, half the minced onion, and salt in a 4-6 qt slow cooker with 3 1/2 cups water.
• Puree remaining garlic, ginger, Serrano chiles, turmeric, and paprika with 2 tablespoons water in food processor; set paste aside.
• Heat oil in a 10 inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add chile de arbol, coriander, cumin, and cinnamon; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add remaining minced onion; cook until browned, about 1 minute.
• Add paste; cook for 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes; cook until liquid has mostly evaporated, about 12 minutes.
• Add tomato mixture, cilantro, garam masala, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to beans in slow cooker. Mix well and check level of the water. Add more water, if necessary, so that there is at least 1 inch above level of the bean mixture. Cook on low for 7-8 hours and on high for 4-5 hours.
• Serve over rice and garnish with sliced red onion.