Indian Style Rajma Chawal Recipe
Summary
- This recipe demonstrates how to prepare a traditional Indian-style Rajma Chawal, featuring tender kidney beans cooked in a rich, aromatic gravy, served alongside fragrant tempered rice. The dish is garnished with fresh green chilies and coriander, offering a comforting and flavorful meal.
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All Ingredients - For Rajma
- Kidney Beans (Lobia) 1 kg
- Salt to taste
- Oil 2 tablespoons
- Onion 1 large, sliced
- Whole Spices (Sabut Garam Masala) as required (e.g., bay leaf, star anise, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon stick)
- Curry Leaves as required
- Ginger-Garlic Paste 1 teaspoon
- Blended Tomatoes (paste-like consistency) as required
- Blended Green Chilies (paste-like consistency) as required
- Coriander Powder 2 teaspoons
- Turmeric Powder 1 teaspoon
- Red Chili Powder 2 teaspoons
- Whole Cumin Seeds (Sabut Zeera) 1 teaspoon
- Fresh Green Chilies for garnish
- Fresh Coriander for garnish
All Ingredients - For Tarke wale Chawal (Tempered Rice)
- Oil 2 tablespoons
- Onions 2 medium, sliced
- Green Chilies 2, sliced
- Curry Leaves 2-4 leaves
- Whole Spices (Sabut Garam Masala) as required (e.g., cumin seeds, bay leaf, black peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon stick)
- Tomatoes 2 medium, chopped
- Coriander Powder 2 teaspoons
- Red Chili Powder 2 teaspoons
- Salt to taste
- Water as required
- Rice 2-3 cups (dry)
- Garam Masala Powder 1 teaspoon
- Lemon Juice 1 tablespoon
Tools You'll Need
- Pan
- Pot
Don't have an ingredient? Try these swaps
No Onion?
- 1 tbsp onion powder (per medium onion)
- 3 tbsp dried minced onion
- Shallots or leeks (1:1)
No Garam masala?
- 1 tsp cumin + 1/2 tsp coriander + 1/4 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp cardamom
No Curry leaves?
- 1 bay leaf + a pinch of lemon zest — Aroma only — flavor is unique.
No Garlic (fresh)?
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
No Cilantro?
- Flat-leaf parsley (1:1, milder)
- Fresh mint (in chutneys, salads)
No Lemon juice?
- Lime juice (1:1)
- 1/2 the amount white vinegar — In dressings, savory dishes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Kidney Beans (Rajma)
Take 1 kg of kidney beans (Lobia) and boil them until tender. Add salt to taste during boiling. Set aside the boiled kidney beans.
Step 2: Sauté Onions and Whole Spices for Rajma Gravy
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan. Add sliced onions and cook until they turn golden brown. Then, add curry leaves and whole spices (Sabut Garam Masala) and fry for about until fragrant.
Step 3: Add Pastes and Dry Spices for Rajma Gravy
Add 1 teaspoon of ginger-garlic paste and cook well. Then, add blended tomatoes (tomato paste) and green chili paste, mixing thoroughly. Cook until the mixture thickens and the oil starts to separate. Now, add 2 teaspoons of coriander powder, 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 2 teaspoons of red chili powder, and salt to taste. Mix all the spices well.
Step 4: Cook Rajma Gravy
Cover the pan and cook the gravy for on medium heat, allowing the flavors to meld. Add 1 teaspoon of whole cumin seeds (Sabut Zeera) and a blended onion paste (if not already incorporated with the initial sliced onion). Continue to fry until the oil completely separates from the masala.
Step 5: Combine Rajma with Gravy
Add the boiled kidney beans (Lobia) to the prepared gravy. Mix well and cook until the oil separates again, ensuring the beans are thoroughly coated and heated through.
Step 6: Prepare Tempered Rice (Tarke wale Chawal)
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a separate pot. Add sliced onions and cook until they turn golden brown. Then, add sliced green chilies, curry leaves, and whole spices (Sabut Garam Masala). Fry for a minute until aromatic.
Step 7: Cook Rice Masala
Add chopped tomatoes and cook for until they soften. Then, add 2 teaspoons of coriander powder, 2 teaspoons of red chili powder, and salt to taste. Fry the spices well.
Step 8: Cook Rice
Add water as required for the rice. Once the water comes to a boil, add the rice. Mix well and cook until the water dries up. Add 1 teaspoon of garam masala powder and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Stir gently.
Step 9: Steam Rice (Dum)
Cover the pot and let the rice (dum) for on low heat until fully cooked and fluffy.
Step 10: Serve Rajma Chawal
Serve the hot Rajma alongside the rice. Garnish the Rajma with fresh green chilies and chopped coriander. Enjoy this Indian-style Rajma Chawal with friends and family, optionally with a side of raita.
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