Rajma Masala - Red Kidney Beans Curry - Best Indian Recipes

All Recipes » Rajma Masala

Rajma Masala

Rajma Masala

rajma masala
Rajma Masala with steamed rice

Rajma Masala is a typical Punjabi style recipe that I have been trying to improvize on since years. Having tasted it at quite a few Punjabi friends homes (read school/college friends), langar at gurudwara as well as the roadside Punjabi dhabas, I try my best to replicate the same flavor at home. It never tasted the same in any of the places I tried. Each home (or dhaba or restaurant) has its own style of preparation. While the basic onion-ginger-garlic-tomato base is the same, it is the garam masala powder that makes all the difference.

I have had some success with today’s recipe which is almost close to the authentic Punjabi Rajma Masala recipe. I have already blogged the recipe for Rajma Masala with Jeera Pulao and today’s version is slightly different in terms of the garam masala used. This delicious protein rich red kidney beans curry is prepared with good quality beans and care should be taken to saute the onion tomato base till rawness disappers. It is a crucial step in the making of the curry.

Popular as Rajma Chawal in North India, Rajma Masala is served with Basmati rice. Among the best Indian recipes, Rajma Masala is my most favorite comfort food that I relish to the core. 🙂

rajma masala recipe
Rajmah Masala

Rajma Masala

  Prepare time:  Cook:  Serves: 6  Cuisine: north indian kidney-beans,rajma,rajma-masala,All Recipes,Indian Curry Recipes,Indian Lentil Recipes,Indian Vegan Recipes,Indian Vegetarian Recipes,Lunch Box Recipes,North Indian Recipes
5 stars based on 5 reviews

 Ingredients

  •   Red kidney beans 1 1/4 cups, soaked in 4 cups water overnight
  •   Onions 2 large, grind to a paste
  •   Tomatoes 3, large, puree
  •   Asafoetida pinch
  •   Bay leaf 1
  •   Ginger garlic paste 3/4 tbsp
  •   Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
  •   Red chili powder 1 tsp
  •   Coriander powder 1 heaped tbsp
  •   Cumin powder 1/4 tsp
  •   Kasuri methi 1/2 tsp, crushed (optional0
  •   Garam masala powder 1 tsp (from the prepared garam masala)
  •   Oil 2 1/2 tbsps
  •   Ghee 1 1/2 tbsps (optional) if not using ghee, replace with oil
  •   Salt to taste
  •   Fresh coriander leaves for garnish (optional)
  •   Garam Masala Powder: dry roast for 2 mts and grind to a fine powder
  •   Cinnamon 1/2" stick
  •   Cloves 3
  •   Green Cardamom 2 (Chota Elaichi)
  •   Black Cardamom 1 (Badi Elaichi)
  •   Black Pepper Corns 6
  •   Star Anise 1/2
  •   Mace powder pinch (Javitri)
  •   Black cumin 1/4 tsp (Shahjeera)
  •   Dry Ginger powder pinch (Sonth)

Method for making Rajma Masala

  1. Wash the kidney beans and soak in 4 cups waters overnight. Next day morning, pressure cook along with the same water the beans were soaked in. Cook upto 4 to 5 whitsles or cook in a large pot of water till soft. Remove half a cup of cooked beans, crush coarsely and keep aside.

  2. Heat ghee and oil in a cooking vessel. Add cumin seeds and bay leaf and allow the seeds to splutter. Add the asafoetida and stir fry for few seconds and then add the ground onion paste and saute until golden brown sprinkling water occasionally until the oil separates.

  3. Add red chilli pwd, turmeric pwd, coriander pwd, cumin pwd, kasuri methi and salt. Mix well. Add the tomato puree and cook till oil separates.

  4. Add the cooked kidney beans along with the residue water left while pressure cooking it. Cover and cook for 5 mts.

  5. Add the crushed kidney beans and some more water if required to achieve a gravy consistency. Cook for 8-10 mts without lid on medium flame after adding the water. Add garam masala and cook on simmer with lid till required gravy consistency. Turn off heat and let it sit for at least an hour for the flavors to meld. Remove to a serving bowl and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

  6. Serve warm with steamed rice, jeera rice, chappatis or phulkas.

Tips

  •   Pinch of amchur powder can also be added for a bit of tang.
  •   If you do not have mace, omit and make garam masala with rest of the ingredients.
  •   Vegans can omit ghee.
  •   Just before serving, garnish with a dollop of fresh cream. Its optional.
By Published: Rajma Masala is one of the best Indian recipes in North Indian cuisine. Red kidney beans curry, prepared in a spiced onion tomato base and served with rice.