Rajma Chawal
Rajma chawal is the ultimate North Indian comfort meal of kidney beans cooked in a thick onion-tomato masala and served over steamed rice. A pressure cooker makes it quick and foolproof. In many Punjabi and Delhi homes, Sunday lunch is not complete without a big bowl of rajma.
Why You Will Love This Rajma Chawal
- Hearty, creamy and full of plant protein
- Vegan, and gluten free when served with rice
- Simple pantry ingredients and easy pressure cooker method
Ingredient Notes
Kidney beans: Dried red kidney beans give the best texture, and Jammu rajma is especially creamy. Onions, tomatoes, ginger and garlic: They form the flavourful masala base. Spices: Cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala and Kashmiri chilli powder add warmth and colour.
Tips for Creamy Rajma
Soak the beans overnight for even cooking. Cook them until completely soft, since undercooked kidney beans are hard to digest. Mash a few beans to thicken the gravy naturally, and simmer the beans in the masala for at least 15 minutes so they absorb the flavour.
Serving and Storage
Serve with steamed rice, sliced onions and a side of pickle or raita. Rajma keeps for four days in the refrigerator and tastes even better the next day. It freezes well for up to three months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to soak rajma overnight?
Yes, soaking for at least eight hours helps the beans cook evenly and become soft. Discard the soaking water before cooking.
How long does rajma take to cook in a pressure cooker?
Soaked rajma usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes in a pressure cooker, or around 5 to 6 whistles. Beans should be completely soft and easy to mash.
Can I use canned kidney beans?
Yes. Rinse them well and simmer in the masala for 15 to 20 minutes so they absorb the flavour. The gravy will be slightly less creamy than with dried beans.
Why are my rajma beans still hard?
Old beans, hard water or adding salt or tomatoes too early can stop them from softening. Cook the beans until tender before adding acidic ingredients.
How do I make the gravy thicker?
Mash a few beans with the back of a spoon and simmer the gravy uncovered for a few minutes.
What can I serve with rajma chawal?
Steamed rice, sliced onions, pickle and curd or raita are the traditional accompaniments.
Is it safe to eat undercooked kidney beans?
No. Raw or undercooked kidney beans contain a natural toxin that can cause stomach upset. Always boil them thoroughly until completely soft.
More Recipes You Will Love
- Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice): fragrant cumin rice for any curry
- Dal Makhani: slow-cooked creamy black lentils
- Chole Masala (Punjabi Chickpea Curry): tangy, hearty chickpea curry
- Garlic Butter Naan (Tawa Naan): soft, blistered flatbread for scooping up the gravy
- 1 cup rajma (soaked overnight)
- 2 onions (finely chopped)
- 3 tomatoes (pureed)
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 2 cups cooked basmati rice (to serve)
- Salt to taste
- 1 Soak the Rajma OvernightThe night before, rinse 1 cup of rajma (kidney beans) in cold water until it runs clear. Cover with about 3 cups of fresh water, which is about 3 times the volume of the beans, and soak for at least 8 hours. Drain and rinse well before cooking.Tip: Soaking cuts the cooking time, helps the beans cook evenly and makes them easier to digest. Use fresh water to cook them, not the soaking water.
- 2 Prepare the Onions, Tomatoes and SpicesFinely chop the 2 onions. Blend the 3 tomatoes in a blender until completely smooth to make a puree. Measure out 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste, 1 teaspoon each of cumin seeds, coriander powder, Kashmiri chilli powder and garam masala.Tip: Kashmiri chilli gives a rich red colour with mild heat. Having everything ready makes the masala quick to cook, as there is no time to chop once the onions are browning.
- 3 Pressure Cook the BeansPut the drained rajma in a pressure cooker with 3 cups of fresh water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Close the lid and cook on high heat for 6 to 7 whistles.Tip: Salt added at this stage seasons the beans through to the centre. Do not add any tomato or lemon yet, as acid keeps beans hard.
- 4 Release the Pressure and TestTurn off the heat and let the pressure drop naturally, which takes 10 to 15 minutes. Open the lid and press a bean between your fingers. It should squash easily and feel creamy inside while still holding its shape. If it is still firm, cook for 2 more whistles.Tip: Do not rush the pressure release. Beans that are done properly are soft all the way through, with no chalky centre.
- 5 Temper the CuminHeat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan or kadhai over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds and let them sizzle for 20 to 30 seconds, until fragrant and lightly browned.Tip: The cumin should sizzle straight away when it hits the oil. If it does not, the oil is not hot enough yet.
- 6 Brown the OnionsAdd the chopped onions and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until they turn a deep golden brown and smell sweet.Tip: Well-browned onions give the gravy its colour and sweetness. Add a splash of water if they start to catch, but do not rush the browning.
- 7 Cook the Ginger-Garlic PasteAdd the 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring, until the raw smell disappears.Tip: Keep stirring so the paste does not burn on the bottom of the pan, as burnt garlic is bitter.
- 8 Cook the Tomato Puree Until the Oil SeparatesPour in the tomato puree and cook on medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the mixture thickens to a jam-like paste and the oil separates and pools at the edges.Tip: When the oil separates, the tomatoes are properly cooked. If you skip this, the rajma will taste sharp and raw.
- 9 Stir in the SpicesStir in 1 teaspoon of coriander powder, 1 teaspoon of Kashmiri chilli powder and salt to taste. Cook for 1 minute, adding a splash of water if the spices stick.Tip: Cooking ground spices briefly in the masala wakes up their flavour. Keep the heat medium so the chilli powder does not burn and turn bitter.
- 10 Add the Rajma with Its LiquidAdd the cooked rajma along with all of its cooking liquid. Stir well and bring the curry to a boil.Tip: The starchy cooking liquid is what gives rajma its thick, creamy gravy, so do not drain it away.
- 11 Simmer and Mash a Few BeansReduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Mash about 1/4 cup of the beans against the side of the pan with the back of a spoon. Stir every few minutes until the gravy is thick and creamy. Add a splash of hot water if it gets too thick.Tip: Mash a few beans to thicken the gravy naturally. The gravy should be thick but still pourable, like a thick soup.
- 12 Finish with Garam Masala and RestStir in 1 teaspoon of garam masala and taste. Add more salt a pinch at a time if needed. Turn off the heat and leave the rajma to rest, covered, for 5 minutes.Tip: Garam masala is added at the end so its fragrance stays fresh. Resting lets the flavours settle and thickens the gravy slightly.
- 13 Serve Over RiceSpoon the 2 cups of hot cooked basmati rice onto plates and ladle the rajma over the top. Serve with sliced raw onion, lemon wedges and a little pickle if you like.Tip: If you are using canned beans, skip the pressure cooking and simmer them in the masala for 20 minutes. Rajma tastes even better the next day.