Rajma Recipe
Introduction: Rajma, a popular North Indian dish, is a hearty and flavorful red kidney bean curry. It’s typically served with steamed rice and makes for a comforting and nutritious meal. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the process of making restaurant-quality Rajma at home.
Ingredients:
For Cooking the Rajma:
- 1 cup dried red kidney beans (rajma)
- 4 cups water for soaking
- 8 cups water for cooking
- Salt to taste
For the Curry:
- 2 tablespoons ghee or vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 green chilies, finely chopped (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 2 large tomatoes, pureed
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
Instructions:
1. Preparing the Rajma:
a. Rinse the dried red kidney beans (rajma) under cold running water until the water runs clear.
b. Soak the rajma in 4 cups of water for at least 8 hours or overnight. This will soften the beans and reduce cooking time.
c. After soaking, drain the water and transfer the rajma to a pressure cooker.
d. Add 8 cups of fresh water and salt to taste.
e. Pressure cook on medium heat for 15-20 minutes or until the rajma becomes soft and tender. Cooking time may vary depending on the type and age of beans.
2. Preparing the Curry:
a. In a large pan or kadai, heat 2 tablespoons of ghee or vegetable oil over medium heat.
b. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
c. Add finely chopped onions and green chilies. Sauté until the onions become golden brown.
d. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another 2-3 minutes until the raw smell disappears.
e. Add the tomato puree and cook on medium heat until the oil starts to separate from the tomato mixture. Stir occasionally.
f. Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, and salt. Mix well and cook for a few more minutes.
g. Reduce the heat and add garam masala. Mix it in and cook for 2-3 minutes.
3. Combining the Rajma and Curry:
a. Once the tomato gravy is ready, add the cooked rajma to the pan. Mix everything well.
b. Simmer the Rajma curry on low heat, partially covered, for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and the curry to thicken.
c. If the mixture becomes too thick, you can add some water to achieve your desired consistency.
4. Serving:
a. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
b. Serve hot with steamed rice or Indian bread like naan or roti.
Tips:
- For an authentic flavor, use ghee in the recipe. However, you can substitute it with vegetable oil if needed.
- Adjust the spice levels by adding more or fewer green chilies and red chili powder.
- If you prefer a creamier texture, you can blend a portion of the cooked rajma and add it back to the curry.
- Rajma curry often tastes better the next day, so don’t hesitate to make extra for leftovers.
- You can also add a splash of cream or yogurt for a creamier and milder version.
- Serve with a side of pickles or yogurt to balance the flavors.
Variations:
- Punjabi Rajma Masala: Enhance the flavor with a generous amount of cream or butter. You can also add a few cashews to make it richer.
- Spicy Rajma: Increase the amount of red chili powder and green chilies for a spicier version.
- Rajma with Spinach: Add chopped spinach or fenugreek leaves (methi) to make it healthier and more nutritious.
- Rajma with Paneer: Add cubed paneer (Indian cottage cheese) for a protein-packed variation.
- Coconut Milk Rajma: For a unique twist, replace some of the water with coconut milk to make it creamy and mildly sweet.
This detailed Rajma recipe should help you recreate this flavorful Indian dish at home. Enjoy your homemade Rajma curry!
