Rajma Recipe | Rajma Masala

Name: Rajma Recipe | Rajma Masala Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 520 min
Ingredients: 1 cup rajma / red kidney bean; 1 teaspoon kasoori methi; 1 tablespoon coriander leaves (chopped); 1/4 cup onion (finely chopped); 1.5 cups tomato puree; 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste; 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder; 1 heaped teaspoon red chilli powder; 1 teaspoon coriander powder; 1 teaspoon garam masala powder; salt ( to taste); 2 tablespoon oil; 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

Last Updated On: May 25, 2024 by Sharmilee J

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Rajma Masala is a delicious gravy made by cooking red kidney beans with onion, tomatoes and basic spices. Rajma Masala goes well with roti, chapati & rice and a good choice of gravy when we run out of veggies. Let us learn to make Rajma Masala Recipe with step by step pictures and video.

Rajma Masala is one of the authentic Punjabi dish and it is my comfort recipe anytime. I always stock up Rajma(Red Kidney Bean)in my kitchen. Rajma Masala tastes so delicious both with chapathi and rice. Do try this Rajma Masala or Rajma Curry and enjoy!

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What is Rajma Masala?
Rajma Masala Video
Rajma Masala Ingredients
Rajma Masala Recipe Step by Step
Expert Tips
Serving & Storage Suggestion
FAQS
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What is Rajma Masala?

Rajma Masala or Red Kidney Beans Curry is one of the most popular curries made in North India. I love Rajma Masala so much but sure next to Chole Masala. But my family is not fond of dishes made with rajma so I always try different recipes to impress them. But this Rajma Masala Recipe has become one of my family favorite these days that hubby who has an aversion to rajma loved this gravy.

Since my childhood I have tasted rajma only as sundal and in kurma and I always loved it. So when I started cooking I loved trying different recipes with Rajma especially to make my family enjoy rajma. Rajma Paratha and Rajma Masala are the most family favorites.

I haven’t ordered Rajma Masala at restaurants but always taste it when I find it in any buffet menu. The urge to recreating a recipe that I tasted led to me to this Rajma Masala Recipe which has become a most demanding dish at home. You may ask…What is more special about this Rajma Masala Recipe ? It is the usual onion tomato based gravy right?! Yes I agree but the addition of blanched tomato puree and the slight difference in cooking method makes this Rajma Masala all the more special and tasty.

Over the years I have learnt making a perfect tasting Rajma Masala where the beans is fully merged with the creamy gravy with a soft melt in the mouth texture. I do not like watery gravies much and this creamy Rajma Masala is my absolute favorite.

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Rajma Masala Video

Rajma Masala Ingredients

Rajma (Red Kidney Beans) – There are many varieties of Rajma also called as Red Kidney Beans. I always buy jamun rajma or the long red bean variety both suits perfectly for this recipe.
Onion – Onion is finely chopped and used for this gravy. The quantity of chopped onion is very less when compared to the usual gravies we make.
Tomato – Tomatoes should more than double the amount of onion. Also blanched tomato puree is used for this gravy.
Herbs & Spices – Jeera, gingergarlic paste, coriander leaves and kasoori methis are used for make the gravy spiced and flavorful.

Rajma Masala Recipe Step by Step

1.Soak 1 cup rajma in water for 8 hrs minimum or overnight. Soak in water till rajma is immersed fully and water should be at least 1/2 inch above.

2.Next day rinse well at least twice.

3.Add it to a pressure cooker along with water till immersing level.

4.Pressure cook for 5 whistles. Let pressure release by itself.

5.Open to check, it should be soft when pressed easily mashable this is the right consistency.

6.Heat 2 tablespoon oil in a kadai. Add 1 teaspoon cumin seeds let it crackle completely.

7.Add 1/4 cup onion finely chopped.

8.Saute until transparent then add 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste.

9.Saute for a minute.

10.Reduce flame to lowest. Add 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 heaped teaspoon kashmiri red chilli powder and 1 teaspoon coriander powder. If you want you can add 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder.

11.Give a quick mix. Do not burn the spice powders.

12.Immediately add 1 and 1/2 cups blanched tomato puree. I blanched 4 tomatoes, removed the skin then made a fine puree without adding water.

13.Add 1/2 cup water, then give a quick mix.

14.Let the gravy boil for 5-7 mins or until raw smell of the tomatoes and masalas leave. It does not take time as tomato is already blanched.

15.Keep stirring in between to avoid sticking at the bottom.

16.Add cooked rajma along with little of cooked water. If there is more of cooked water add only half of it.

17.Give a quick mix.

18.Cook covered for 7-10 mins.

19.Give a quick mix. Mash rajma here and there if you prefer.

20.Add 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon kasoori methi(crush and add), 1 tablespoon coriander leaves and 1 teaspoon garam masala powder.

21.Give a quick mix.

22.Finally add 1 teaspoon butter.

23.Give a quick mix and Switch off.

Best Rajma Masala is ready! Serve hot!

Expert Tips

Pressure cooking time of rajma depends on the variety of rajma.
Switch off the gravy consistency as per your liking.
You can add fresh cream at the end to make it more rich.
You can use raw tomato puree too but the taste and consistency sure differs, Blanched tomato puree gives it a more creamy gravy.
Pressure cooking rajma till nice soft and then simmering in the gravy makes the bean absorb the gravy well.
You can replace blanched tomato puree with raw tomato puree the taste will slightly vary.
Add 1/4 cup fresh cream at the end to make it more rich.
You can add in boiled cubed potatoes to this gravy which tastes great too.

Serving & Storage Suggestion

Rajma Masala goes well with plain basmati rice, jeera rice, curd rice, pulao & many more. Rajma Masala is a great side for roti, chapati, paratha & other flatbread variations. It keeps well in room temperature for 1 day and in fridge for 2 days.

FAQS

1.Can I cook rajma in instant pot?

Yes you can cook rajma in instant pot too. Keep in pressure cook mode for 20 mins and let the pressure release by itself. Then cook as per the given instructions.

2.How to make the gravy thick?

You can opt to simmer for few more mins to make the gravy thick or mash the rajma with a ladle to make the gravy thick and more creamy.

3.Can I make rajma without soaking?

No rajma should be soaked well only then it will be cooked soft. Incase if you have forgotten to soak here is a quick soaking tip : Soak rajma in hot water for about 2 hrs, soak in a hot box(casserole) and then you can rinse and cook it.

4.Can I make Rajma Masala in Instant Pot?

Yes first cook rajma in pressure cook mode for 20 mins then remove it. I usually place a container with rajma immersed in water and keep it inside instant pot. After that you can cook Rajma Masala as per the steps directly in the Instant Pot container itself.

5.What can Rajma Masala be served with?

Rajma Masala goes well with rice, roti, chapathi etc. It can be served with mild pulao, rice too.

If you have any more questions about this Rajma Masala Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .

Tried this Rajma Masala Recipe ? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.

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