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.It is best enjoyed with steamed basmati rice (Rajma Chawal) or roti ,naan.
I have included Rajma recipe for Instant Pot ,Stove Top Pressure Cooker and Stove Top Pot Method below
WHAT IS RAJMA MASALA?
Rajma is a popular vegetarian dish from the Indian subcontinent, consisting of red kidney beans in an onion tomato based thick gravy with many aromatic indian spices. It is usually served with rice.
Rajma Masala is a very popular dish in the Northern states of India.The Punjabi way of cooking Rajma Masala is to soak it overnight in water, boil it using a pressure cooker and mix bhuna masala made with chopped onions, pureed tomato, ginger, garlic and milieu of fresh spices including cumin, coriander and chilli powder.-Source Wiki
KIDNEY BEANS HEALTH BENEFITS
Kidney beans are among the best sources of plant-based protein. They’re also rich in vitamins ,minerals and healthy fibers, which moderate blood sugar levels and promote colon health.
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HOW TO COOK RAJMA/KIDNEY BEANS WITHOUT SOAKING? WHAT IF I FORGOT?
Forgot to soak the beans or want to skip the overnight soaking process? dont worry you can still make this curry by just modifying the cooking time.
- Rinse and drain the dried beans
- Follow same recipe as per below instructions and set the pot to “BEAN/CHILI” Mode and set timer to 50-55 minutes.Also make sure to add extra cup of water as dried beans will soak up more water to cook
CAN I USE CANNED KIDNEY BEANS?
Absolutely! Canned kidney work really well in the recipe and there is no difference in flavor as well. However using dry beans are healthier, contains less sodium, no preservatives and they are cheaper.Drain the canned beans and rinse them before using.
For canned beans PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL for 6-8 minutes (HIGH PRESSURE) in the Instant pot and 2 whistles if using Indian stovetop pressure cooker.Reduce amount of water while cooking accordingly.If cooking with canned beans, use white rice for pot-in-pot cooking.
WILL THE COOKING TIME CHANGE IF I HALF OR DOUBLE THE QUANTITY?
No, cooking time will remain same if you half or double the quantity.
CAN I FREEZE RAJMA CURRY?
You sure can! Separate it in to freezer containers pop them in your freezer for a quick and easy meal. Just add some fresh cilantro/coriander leaves before serving.
IS RAJMA CURRY VEGAN?
Yes
CAN I PREPARE RICE IN POT-IN-POT METHOD (PIP)
You can cook this beans curry along with rice, using the Pot-in-Pot method, all in same pot. Two possible combinations are:
- Dried soaked Kidney Beans Curry with Brown basmati rice, or
- Canned kidney beans with White basmati or sona masuri rice.
Also check my Kids Lunch Box Series Posts
Rajma Chawal + Yogurt & Chia Seeds + Orange
HOW TO MAKE RAJMA IN INSTANT POT?
1.Soak rajma for at least 4+ hours in hot water or overnight.Drain water and keep aside.
2.Press SAUTE mode on Instant Pot. Add oil in to the POT.
3.Once POT is hot add cumin seeds ,bay leaf, let the cumin splutter
4.Next add onions ,ginger garlic paste and saute until onions turn light brown for 3-4 minutes.
5.Next add finely chopped tomatoes or tomato puree and cook for 2-3 minutes.
6.Add the spices red chilli powder, turmeric powder ,coriander powder ,kidney beans, salt and water for cooking. Stir well.
7.Close the lid on the pot, and turn valve from VENTING to SEALING position.Press CANCEL button on Instant Pot.
8.Set the pot to “BEAN/CHILI” Mode and set timer to 30 minutes.
9.Do a NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE(NPR)(Wait until silver button on lid drops).BE CAREFUL OF THE HOT STEAM.
10.Remove lid away from you, add garam masala powder, kasuri methi ,cilantro and amchur powder or lime juice.Mix well. Dont worry if the curry is too liquid consistency.Just turn on SAUTE mode again and boil the curry for 5 minutes or until you get desired consistency.If you want thicker and creamy gravy you can mash ladle full of rajma and add them back to the curry
11.Rajma Masala is ready, serve with hot with pooris, chapatis, roti & parathas.
HOW TO MAKE RAJMA ON STOVE TOP PRESSURE COOKER?
Follow the same steps as above. Just cook the rajma on stovetop pressure cooker for 2 whistles on high heat, then set the heat to medium-low and cook for another 15-20 minutes.
RAJMA MASALA RECIPE CARD
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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
- 1 cup dried red kidney beans (rajma) soaked OR 2 Cans Kidney Beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 large onion ,finely chopped
- 2 large tomatoes ,finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds(jeera)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 tablespoon dried kasuri methi
- 2 cups water
- salt to taste
- cilantro (coriander leaves)
- 1 teaspoon amchur powder or lime juice
- 2 tablespoon oil
Soak rajma for at least 4+ hours in hot water or overnight.Drain water and keep aside.
Press SAUTE mode on Instant Pot. Add oil in to the POT.
Once POT is hot add cumin seeds ,bay leaf, let the cumin splutter
Next add onions ,ginger garlic paste and saute until onions turn light brown for 3-4 minutes.
Next add finely chopped tomatoes or tomato puree and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Add the spices red chilli powder, turmeric powder ,coriander powder ,kidney beans, salt and water for cooking. Stir well.
Close the lid on the pot, and turn valve from VENTING to SEALING position.Press CANCEL button on Instant Pot.
Set the pot to "BEAN/CHILI" Mode and set timer to 30 minutes.
Do a NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE(NPR)(Wait until silver button on lid drops).BE CAREFUL OF THE HOT STEAM.
Remove lid away from you, add garam masala powder, kasuri methi ,cilantro and amchur powder or lime juice.Mix well. Dont worry if the curry is too liquid consistency.Just turn on SAUTE mode again and boil the curry for 5 minutes or until you get desired consistency.Note:If you want thicker and creamy gravy you can mash ladle full of rajma and add them back to the curry
Rajma Masala is ready, serve with hot with pooris, chapatis, roti & parathas.
Follow the same steps as above. Just cook the rajma on stovetop pressure cooker for 2 whistles on high heat, then set the heat to medium-low and cook for another 15-20 minutes.
Pressure cook the soaked rajma(kidney beans) on a stove top pressure cooker for 2-3 whistles on high heat.Let the pressure release naturally.
Meanwhile take a pot add oil and once POT is hot add cumin seeds ,bay leaf, let the cumin splutter.
Next add onions ,ginger garlic paste and saute until onions turn light brown for 3-4 minutes.
Add finely chopped tomatoes or tomato puree and cook for 2-3 minutes till the tomatoes are mushy
Add the spices red chilli powder, turmeric powder ,coriander powder ,cooked kidney beans, salt ,some water and close lid and cook on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes.
Remove lid, add garam masala powder, kasuri methi ,cilantro and amchur powder or lime juice.Mix well. Dont worry if the curry is 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 ladle full of rajma and add them back to the curry
Rajma Masala is ready, serve with hot with pooris, chapatis, roti & parathas.
Canned Kidney Beans:”Pressure Cook/Manual” High for 6-8 minutes or 2 whistles when using stovetop indian pressure cooker.Adjust water appropriately as it takes less water for cooking canned beans.
Canned tomatoes: Canned tomatoes can be used to replace fresh tomatoes. Use 1 cup canned tomatoes to replace fresh tomatoes.
1.If you want thicker and creamy gravy you can mash ladle full of rajma and add them back to the curry.
2.If you do not have amchur (dry mango powder) then replace with 1 tablespoon of lime juice.
3.In this recipe I used basic indian spices. You can also use store brought Rajma Masala, which replaces all the spices in this recipe. I like the Everest Rajma Masala powder
4.I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT
Note:Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
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