Rajma Masala - Red Kidney Beans Curry

Rajma masala or red kidney beans curry is one of the most famous North Indian curries. Interesting fact, which we didn’t know, is that big part of India is purely vegetarian.

Rajma is the Hindi name for red kidney beans.

Red kidney beans are cooked with onions, tomatoes and a few Indian spices. Rajma masala is full of protein and it is a delicious vegan meal.

You can serve Rajma Masala with rice, quinoa, cous-cous or naan bread. You can avoid carbs and have a bowl of this comfort food on its own.

 

Ingredients for Rajma Masala are not difficult to find and it is also a quick (very satisfying) fix for a weekday meal. If you are attempting to start with cooking Indian meals at home, this is one of the easy recipes to start with.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds

2 Dry Red Chilies or 1/4 teaspoon chili powder

2 tablespoons of coconut or olive Oil

2 Bay leaves

1 Medium sized chopped Onion

1 teaspoon of fresh Grated Ginger

2 cloves of Garlic, minced

½ teaspoon Turmeric Powder

1 teaspoon Coriander Powder

40g fresh chopped Tomatoes

120g Tomato Puree

1 teaspoon Salt to taste

¼ teaspoon sugar

300g Red Kidney Beans (canned)

½ teaspoon Garam Masala Powder

1 tablespoon Lime Juice

Fresh Cilantro for decoration

Directions

1. Heat up oil in the pan and add 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds, 2 Dry Red Chilies or ¾ teaspoon chili powder and 2 bay leaves. Fry for a minute.

2. Add 1 chopped onion. Sauté onions until golden brown.

3. Add 1 teaspoon of fresh grated ginger, 2 cloves of garlic and stir for minute or two.

4. Add ½ teaspoon of turmeric and 1 teaspoon coriander powder to the mixture and stir well.

5. Add 40g chopped tomato and 120g tomato puree.

6. Add1 teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of sugar. Stir for 2-3 minutes.

If you feel spices are sticking to the bottom of the pan add 1-2 tablespoons of water to the sauce.

7. Add rinsed and drained kidney beans to the sauce. Mix well.

8. Add 700ml of water and ½ teaspoon garam masala spices.

Bring to boil, reduce the heat and cook for 15 - 20 mins.

9. Add 1 tablespoon of lime juice.

If the sauce seems to be thin, you can mash two tablespoons of the beans from the sauce with blender or mixer and add it back to the sauce.

If the sauce is too thick, just add little bit of water.

Decorate with fresh cilantro.