KIDS LUNCH BOX #44 – Rajma Chawal + Yogurt & Chia Seeds + Orange
Some kids school lunch box ideas to try…
- Spinach Corn Sandwich + Orange + Almonds & Pistachios
- Carrot Rice + Cucumber + Fruittellas
- Palak Chapati + Jeera Aloo + Orange
- Potato Spinach Pancakes + Sprouted Moong & Corn Salad+ Grapes
- Mayonnaise Veggie Pasta + Strawberries + Peanut Chikki
Here is what I packed for school lunch…
LUNCH – Rajma Chawal – I made Rajma in an Instant Pot, Here is the Recipe Link for Rajma. For lunchbox I mixed basmati rice and rajma together with 1 tablespoon of ghee.
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Rajma Masala in Instant Pot (Kidney Beans Curry)
Punjabi Rajma Masala is a one-pot healthy, protein-rich, vegan and gluten-free recipe made with dry or canned beans and cooked in a spicy, flavorful onion-tomato gravy along with few spices.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried red kidney beans (rajma) soaked OR 2 Cans Kidney Beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 large onion finely chopped, (about 1 cup)
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- 2 large tomatoes finely chopped, (about 1 cup)
- 1.5 cups water
- 1 tablespoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek elaves) optional
- juice of half lime (or 1 teaspoon amchur powder)
- 2 tablespoons coriander leaves (cilantro)
Spices:
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- salt to taste
Instructions
Preparing Rajma
- Soak rajma for at least 4+ hours in hot water or overnight. Then, drain the water and keep it aside.
Instant Pot Method
- Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Heat oil, add cumin seeds, bay leaf, and let cumin splutter.
- Next, add onions, ginger-garlic paste, and saute for 3-4 minutes or until onions turn light brown.
- Next, add finely chopped tomatoes (or tomato puree), spices like red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or till the tomatoes turn soft and mushy.
- Then add soaked kidney beans (rajma), and water. Stir well.
- Close the lid on the pot, and turn the pressure valve to the SEALING position. Set the pot to "BEAN/CHILI" Mode and set the timer to 30 minutes.
- Once the pot beeps, Do a NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE (NPR).
- Lastly, remove the lid away from you, add garam masala powder, kasuri methi, lime juice (or amchur powder), and coriander leaves. Mix well.Don't worry if the curry is a too liquid consistency. Turn on SAUTE mode again and boil the curry for 5 minutes or until you get the desired consistency. If you want thicker and creamy gravy, you can mash a ladle full of rajma and add them back to the curry.
- Instant Pot Rajma Masala/Red Kidney Bean Curry recipe is ready, serve hot with pooris, chapatis, roti & parathas.
Stovetop Pressure Cooker:
- Follow the same steps as above. Just cook the rajma on the stovetop pressure cooker for 2 whistles on high heat, then set the heat to medium-low and cook for another 15-20 minutes.
Stovetop Pot Method:
- Pressure cook the soaked rajma (kidney beans) on a stovetop pressure cooker for 2-3 whistles on high heat. Let the pressure release naturally.
- Meanwhile, take a pot, Heat oil, add cumin seeds, bay leaf, and let cumin splutter.
- Next, add onions, ginger-garlic paste, and sautef or 3-4 minutes or until onions turn light brown.
- Add finely chopped tomatoes (or tomato puree), spices like red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or till the tomatoes turn soft and mushy.
- Then add soaked kidney beans (rajma), and water. Stir well. Close the lid and cook on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove lid, and add garam masala powder, kasuri methi, lime juice (or amchur powder), and coriander leaves. Mix well. Dont worry if the curry is a too liquid consistency. Just boil the curry for 5 minutes or until you get desired consistency. Note: If you want thicker and creamy gravy you can mash a ladle full of rajma and add them back to the curry.
- Rajma Masala is ready, serve with hot with pooris, chapatis, roti & parathas.
Video
Notes
I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT
Tips & Variations
- Canned Kidney Beans: "Pressure Cook/Manual" on High for 6-8 minutes in Instant Pot or 2 whistles if using a stovetop Indian pressure cooker for cooking rajma masala with canned or cooked beans. Adjust water appropriately, as it takes less water to cook canned beans.
- Canned tomatoes: Canned tomatoes can also be used to replace fresh tomatoes. Use 1 cup of canned tomatoes to replace fresh tomatoes.
- Thick Consistency: If you want thicker and creamy gravy, you can mash a ladle full of rajma and add them back to the curry.
- Tanginess: If you do not have amchur (dry mango powder), then replace it with 1 tablespoon of lime juice.
- Spices: In this recipe, I have used basic Indian spices. You can also use store-bought Rajma Masala, which replaces all the spices in this recipe. I like the Everest Rajma Masala powder.
Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
Calories: 208kcalCarbohydrates: 33.6gProtein: 11.4gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2.1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 16mgFiber: 5.5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1350IUVitamin C: 44.6mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 4mg
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SNACK – Yogurt & Chia Seeds - I took some greek yogurt and added chia seeds on top as they are very healthy.
SNACK – Orange
Prep Work For The Previous Evening
- You can prepare rajma the previous night itself and prepare fresh rice in the morning and pack the lunchbox.
Lakshmi says
Hi there, I recently found your blog and love it. I too have a daughter born in the same year and your recipes have saved me from lunchbox madness! Thank you.
I want to know about your Lunchbots recommendation. When you pack something like yogurt, do you put it in a separate container? How do you keep it from leaking into the fruit or other snack?
Sincerely
Lakshmi
Bhavana Patil says
Hey Lakshmi, very happy to know you liked the ideas and recipes from my blog.
Lunchbots is great for only dry items as liquids can seep through the compartments. So I generally pack yogurt or nay dipping sauce in a small container. Sorry for the delayed response. Also please do share what's your daughter's favorite go-to lunch box recipes.