RAJMA MASALA (KIDNEY BEANS GRAVY)

Rajma or kidney beans was brought to India centuries back from Mexico. In North India it is used in various dishes. There are 2 types of rajma - red & striped variety. Here i have used the striped variety to make rajma masala. This dish tastes good with plain rice or jeera rice.

Preparation Time: 10 mts Cooking Time: 30 mts Serves: 2

Ingredients:

Rajma (any variety) - 1 cup

Cinnamon - 1/2 inch piece

Cloves - 2 nos

Black cardamom (bada elaichi) - 1 no

Chili powder - 1 tsp

Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp

Jeera powder - 1/4 tsp

Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp

Big onion - 1 no

Tomato - 1 no

Ginger garlic paste - 1/2 tsp

Refined oil - 2 tbsp

Salt - to taste

Method:

Wash & soak the rajma for 8-10 hrs. Alternately, we can soak it the previous night. Cut the onions in to small thin slices. Chop the tomatoes in to small cubes. Pressure cook the rajma with a little salt & little turmeric powder till it is soft. Heat oil in a pan & fry the cinnamon, cloves & cardamom. Add the sliced onion & fry it till it turns pale. Add the tomatoes & fry for some more time. When it is almost cooked, add the ginger garlic paste & fry. When the oil starts to separate, add the turmeric, chili, jeera & coriander powders. Fry well till the oil separates. Add the cooked rajma & enough water. Allow it to cook & soak in the masala. Garnish it with coriander leaves. Rajma masala is ready.

Variations:

We can grind the onions, tomato, fresh ginger & garlic for the gravy. Fry this in the oil along with the powders till oil separates. Add the rajma & cook till its ready.

Tips:

1. It is better to cook rajma masala much ahead of time so that the beans get soaked in the gravy & absorbs all the masala.
2. Always pressure cook the rajma with salt so that it tastes well.
3. We can also add little amchur powder to give it a tangy taste.
4. Some rajma beans have a bitter taste. So it is better to drain the water in which it is soaked & use fresh water to pressure cook it.
5. Adding a little chole masala to the gravy will give it a nice taste.

Try it & enjoy.