Rajma Masala

Rajma Masala is a vegan dish that is made by cooking red kidney beans in a spiced onion and tomato gravy. This recipe is using soaked red kidney beans, you could also use canned red kidneys beans available in the supermarket.

Serves: 4
Soaking Time: 12 hours
Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup of dry red kidney beans for soaking or 2 cans (420 grams each) of canned kidney beans
• 1 cup of onion puree
• 2 cups of tomato puree
• 1 tablespoon of ginger garlic paste
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 black cardamom, broken into two pieces
• 1 teaspoon of red chilli powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon of coriander powder
• 2 tablespoons of oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon of cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon of garam masala
• salt to taste
• chopped coriander sprigs for garnishing

Procedure

Boiling Red Kidney Beans

• Soak red kidney beans in enough water for 12 hours.
• Then, drain off the water and transfer it to a pressure cooker.
• Add four cups of water and pressure cooker for 6 whistles or until rajma turns soft.

Rajma Masala

• In a saucepan, add two tablespoons of oil. Once the oil has heated, add mustard seeds and let them crackle for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Then add cumin seeds and let them crackle for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the bay leaf and broken black cardamom and saute` for a minute.
• Then add the onion puree and ginger-garlic paste.
• Saute` until the onions turn brown. Onions must be cooked properly so that water doesn't get separated from the curry later.
• Once the onions are done, add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder and salt to taste and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the tomato puree and cook until water is evaporated and oil starts separating from the gravy.
• Then add the boiled kidney beans along with the water that was used for boiling. This water will thicken the gravy. If you are using canned kidney beans you can remove the water.
• Mash a few kidney beans with the back of spoon to thicken the curry.
• Cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Add water if required.
• Once done, garnish with coriander sprigs.

Rajma masala is ready. Enjoy it with rice or your favourite bread.