Rajma Curry

Tonight we are having rajma curry, or as Punjabis call it "Rajma Chawal". Yes, rajma, or red kidney beans, are another lentil to continue the Lentil Mania. I made this curry once before, but did not document it so I will have to start from scratch on this one. I added rajma masala to the curry, and it most definitely adds a wonderful taste to the dish.

1 cup dry rajma (red kidney beans), soaked overnight
4 cups water
2 onions, ground into paste
6 cloves garlic, ground into paste
2" piece ginger, ground into paste
3 green chilies, ground into paste (Grind all 4 together to save time)
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1/4 tsp garam masala
2 tbsp rajma masala
4-5 tomatoes, finely chopped or pureed (I pureed)
1 tsp sugar
Salt to taste
Chopped cilantro for garnish

1. Soak the rajma beans overnight. Drain and wash the beans. Then, pressure cook the rajma beans with a bit of salt for 3-4 whistles until soft and cooked. (Save the starchy water because you will be adding in curry.)
2. Heat oil in pan. Fry the onion-ginger-garlic-green chili paste until it starts to turn pink.
3. Then add in the tomato puree. Let the tomatoes cook down. When oil starts separating on sides of pan, add the salt, sugar, coriander powder, garam masala rajma masala and red chili powder and a bit of water so dry spices do not burn.
4. Add in the rajma beans and starchy water. Let the whole curry come to a boil for 10-15 minutes.
5. Garnish with chopped cilantro and/or chopped onions and tomatoes (optional) and serve hot with steaming brown rice or roti/paratha.

This dish tasted lip smacking delicious with the rice. The only change I would make would be to reduce either the amount of rajma masala or eliminate garam masala because there was a slight strong aftertaste. Otherwise, we both loved it! Picture coming up soon ...

I am adding this curry to Leftovers because we will be having the curry with garlic toast for brunch tomorrow. I will also be making brown rice patties for dinner with the leftover brown rice. Yum, I cannot wait!