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A delicious plate of Rajma Chawal, showing a serving of thick, rich kidney bean curry (rajma) in a spiced tomato gravy, garnished with fresh coriander.

Rajma Chawal

Punjabis in the house chak de. Get a soulful meal with this North Indian dish
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 2 persons

Equipment

  • 1 Pressure cooker
  • 1 Pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup Red Kidney Beans (Rajma) soaked overnight
  • salt to taste
  • water to boil
  • tsp Ghee
  • ¾ tsp Cumin seeds (जीरा)
  • ¾ tsp Ginger Garlic coarsely groud
  • 2 no. Onions chopped / grated
  • ½ tsp Turmeric Powder (हल्दी)
  • ½ tsp Red Chilly Powder
  • ¾ tsp Dried Coriander Seeds (धनिया) Powder
  • ½ tsp Garam Masala
  • 2 no. Tomatoes in paste / puree form

Instructions
 

Prepare Rajma

  • In a pressure cooker add a pinch of salt to the overnight soaked rajma (red kidney beans), add 1.5 cups water and boil them until 3-4 whistles (about 15-20 minutes).
  • Meanwhile to prepare the masala, heat ghee in a pan.
  • Saute cumin seeds for a minute, add coarse ground Ginger Garlic to it, continue to saute until fragrant.
  • Add chopped onions and stir well until brown. Now add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, dhania powder (dried coriander seeds powder) and lastly Garam masala. Mix well.
  • Saute for 2-3 minutes. Add tomatoes, mix well and saute till they start leaving their oil.
  • Meanwhile, drain the rajma and reserve the water.
  • In the pan, add the boiled Rajma to the prepared masala and saute for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the reserved water as per the consistency required for your gravy, mix well and simmer on medium flame for about 3 minutes.
  • Garnish with coriander leaves. Add a pinch of garam masala (in case you want it to be bit more spicy).

Prepare rice

  • Rinse the rice and drain.
  • In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add the rice and salt.
  • Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, until the water is absorbed and rice is fluffy.

Serve with love

  • Serve the rajma over rice, or enjoy them side by side in a bowl. Add a small spoonful of ghee on top of the rice for extra flavor if you like.
Keyword chawal, go to meal, most loved, north indian, rajma, red kidney beans, stress buster