Rajma Chawal (Red/Kidney Beans and Rice)

Hmmm Rajma Chawal is one of the comfort foods that can be enjoyed anytime of the year. It makes a great dish when you are entertaining a large crowd. It also gives a sense of richness in your meals along with that comfort feel. A lentil highly rich in protein content is commonly used in the northern parts of India. It compliments very well with rice, hence the dish goes by the name rajma chawal.
Let's go to the recipe:

RAJMA CHAWAL

Ingredients:
for Rajma

• 1 cup rajma(red beans) soaked overnight
• 1 big onion chopped
• 1/2 can tomato paste (small) (around 2 tsp)
• 1 tomato chopped
• 2 tbsp oil (use less if you want)
• 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 & 1/4 tsp chilli pwd*
• 1/2 tsp turmeric(haldi)
• 1/2 tsp garam masala pwd
• 1 tsp kasoori methi(dry fenugreek leaves)
• salt to taste

for Chawal(Rice)

• 1 cup rice, washed and drained
• 3-4 cups water
• pinch salt

Preparation:
Rajma:

• Boil the soaked rajma with water, kasoori methi, salt, 1/4 tsp chilli pwd. (I usually pressure cook for 10min) It should be little mushy when it's cooked.
• In a pan, add oil, saute chopped onions till light brown, add ginger garlic paste and saute for a couple of minutes more. 
• Now add tomato paste, saute for a couple of minutes, throw in chopped tomatoes and let it cook till it leaves oil on the sides.
• Add spice powders- chilli pwd, turmeric, garam masala and mix it well.
• Now add the boiled rajma in this mixture and adjust water content(from the boiled rajma itself) as per the consistency of your choice, thick or thin.
• Bring it back to a boil. Adjust salt as per your taste.
• Garnish it with cilantro. It's ready to be served.

Rajma Chawal

Rice:

• In a vessel add water, rice and salt and cook for 20-22 minutes on medium high flame.
• You will see that the rice is cooked and water has reduced. 
• Switch off the gas and drain the remaining water out of the rice in a colander. Your chawal is ready to be eaten with Rajma.

*You can also make it in a rice cooker.
*Please adjust chilli powder as per your spice level.

NjoY!!

Nutrition Fact: Fibre of all stars Rajma/Red beans/Kidney beans are a very good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber. It gives you energy to burn while stabilizing blood sugar. It's a slow burning carbohydrate and good source of vitamin B1 for good memory. An antioxidant and powerful protein lentil.