Kidney Bean Curry (Rajma)
Rajma, or red kidney beans, is a popular and comforting Punjabi curry. This recipe describes a rich, spicy dish made with soaked kidney beans, tomatoes, onions, and a blend of traditional Indian spices. The process includes soaking the beans, preparing a masala base, and cooking the beans in a pressure cooker or saucepan until tender. The dish is finished with fresh coriander and garam masala, and is typically served on a bed of hot plain rice with raita on the side.
Ingredients 15
250 g red kidney bean, washed, soaked overnight
water, as needed for soaking and cooking, plus 2 cups hot water
salt, to taste
1⁄2 tsp baking soda, optional
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp ginger garlic paste
2 onions, medium, finely chopped
2 green chillies, chopped
3 tomatoes, large, chopped
2 tsp cumin powder
2 tsp red chilli powder
2 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp garam masala powder
fresh coriander, chopped, for garnish
Optional
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Method 8
Wash the in water 2 - 3 times and soak in 3 cups water overnight.
Drain the and add them in a saucepan, add salt, 1/2 tsp , and enough water to cover the beans. Cook until they soften, you should be able to press them between your fingers. If the water evaporates and the beans are uncooked, add hot water to the saucepan.
In a deep pan, heat the . Add the , , chopped , and , and sauté until the onions are golden brown.
Once the onions start to sweat and turn brown, add the chopped and salt, and cook until the tomatoes turn mushy.
Add the spice powders, and cook for a further 5 minutes. Taste at this stage to ensure your spice levels are on the higher side as you will add more water later, which will dilute the flavour. If needed, adjust the spices.
Drain the water in which the were boiling to get rid of any residual .
Add the onion & tomato spice mix and 2 cups of hot water and bring it to a boil. Add the cooked and drained and cook them for 30 minutes on low heat till the liquid has thickened.
Garnish with & freshly chopped coriander and serve with plain boiled rice.
Bhavna - The Modern Desi Co's tips
If you have an Instant Pot, you do not need to parboil the kidney beans. Just soak them in water overnight or in hot water for an hour before cooking, drain, and keep aside.
Then follow all the steps of cooking the onions and tomatoes on sauté mode in the Instant Pot. Add the beans after you have added spices, add enough water, close the lid of the pot, and cook using the pressure cooker setting for 60 minutes.
