Rajma Dal Recipe(Red Kidney Bean Curry) - Indian Vegan Recipe

Rajma is one of the types of pulses which are called red kidney beans in English. Rajma is rich in protein, carbohydrates and various vitamins and minerals. The pulse and the dish both are called Rajma. Rajma is generally eaten with rice. This combination is famously called Rajma Chawal and is very common in kitchens of North India, especially the Punjab. Rajma can also be eaten with some wheat chapatti or naan. This dish is ideal for lunch as Rajma is quite heavy and not recommended for dinner. 

This recipe of Rajma dal is healthy and vegan friendly. It can be made into a soupy dal or a thick gravy according to your preference. We like it in between of them which is ideal for eating with rice.

Preparation Time : 8 hours

Cooking time : 45 minutes

Servings : 4

 

INGREDIENTS

2 cups Rajma

1 onion

2 tomatoes

10 garlic cloves

1/2 inch ginger

4 tablespoon oil

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

Pinch of asafoetida (hing)

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi)

1/2 teaspoon red chilly powder

1 teaspoon coriander powder

1/4 teaspoon garam masala powder

2 teaspoons of rock salt/1-1.5 teaspoon of table salt/salt to taste

3.5 glasses of water/ water according to desired consistency

RECIPE 

1. Take 2 cups of rajma and soak them overnight for about 8-9 hours and put the soaked beans in a pressure cooker. Add 3.5 glasses of water and salt to taste. Let it cook for 2 whistles or until properly cooked and soft. Do not throw the water because we will use the same water to make the gravy. 

 

2. Take onion, tomatoes, garlic, ginger and roughly chop them. Add them together in a mixer grinder. Blend them well to make a paste. Keep the paste aside.

                                                                                                                           

 

3. Now take a pan and add oil. When little fumes start to appear, add cumin seeds. When they start spluttering, add a pinch of asafoetida.

 

  4. Now add the paste. Give it a good stir and let it cook for 1-2 minutes.

 

  5. Add all the spices. Add turmeric, red chilly powder, coriander powder and garam masala. Stir them well.

 6. Now let the mixture cook for about 10-12 minutes. You can add some water if the mixture starts getting too dry or starts sticking to the base of the pan.

 

 7. When oil starts leaving the sides, this is your indication that it is done. Now add the beans along with the water. Mix them well. You can add more water or reduce the water according to your preferred consistency.

 8. We have already added salt while cooking the beans but you can add more at this stage according to your taste.

 

9. Now, cover the pan with a lid and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.

 

10. Your rajma dal is ready ! Sprinkle some fresh roughly chopped coriander leaves for garnish. Serve it hot with rice or chapatti !

 

 

 

This is a vegan friendly Indian recipe which is lightly spiced and make for a very healthy and fulfilling dish for lunch. Only the soaking period is long otherwise it is a quick lunch recipe if you already have soaked beans at hand. I would love to hear from you guys how this recipe turned out for you. Hope you and your family love it as much as we do here !