Rajma chawal – Not just a food

Rajma chawal is not just a food. It is something more than that. It always comes with a lot of memories & North Indian flavor. Delicious Punjabi rajma masala served with rice always brings happiness & good old memories. Though it is North Indian dish (particularly a Punjabi cuisine) but nowadays most people across the country enjoy this super delicious mouthwatering Punjabi style rajma masala with rice.

Rajma chawal is one of the most favorite vegetarian food in North Indian states. Like any other beans & lentils, it is also a great source of protein. Rajma chawal is often included in the lunch or dinner menu. Many people grow up with so many memories of fun with family members & that homemade rajma chawal cooked by mother. Nothing can be more enjoyable than this. Delicious Punjabi rajma masala and something in rice like jeera rice, pea rice, onion rice, plain rice etc are great combinations of food. This is such a popular combination of food. I would say that probably there will be nobody who did not try rajma chawal in his/her childhood in Northern India.

Rajma masala with rice & me

But I am not a North Indian guy but still, I enjoy this Punjabi rajma masala and rice. These two are awesome together. Though I have never tried this in my childhood but within a few years, after staying in Delhi I developed my taste and relation with rajma chawal. First time when I enjoyed rajma chawal in 2009. I ate this outside my office during lunch hour because there is no other option for rice. So I had to eat this. Onion & cucumber were spread over rajma chawal along with a big piece of butter. I was too hungry and the food was too delicious. So that is why I can still remember the day.

Also read: Punjabi kadhi pakoda with rice, whole moong dal appe

Made Rajma chawal first time in Delhi

I learned cooking Punjabi rajma masala from one of my office colleagues. I went to his house with him. He wanted to cook something rather than buying it from a restaurant. I thought it would be a complete disaster but he was confident and informed me that he made rajma chawal so many times earlier. Not only that he also soaked kidney beans in the morning for himself. So he cooked Punjabi rajma chawal and helped him. It was good in taste and not only that he made this within 30 mins. It was probably the first time I cooked something other than Bengali cuisine, I mean to say, I helped. After that, I also tried this after a few months. I tried to make it perfect according to my taste too.

How to make rajma chawal at home?

Wash kidney beans under running water and then soak kidney beans (rajma) in water for approx 10 hours (or overnight)
Boil it in a pressure cooker till 6-7 whistles or even more until you believe your rajma becomes soft enough to eat (preserve stock-water for further use)

Now you need to heat butter/any vegetable oil (I avoid butter if I make this rajma chawal for dinner) in a kadai and now add cumin seeds, garlic paste & ginger paste. You need to saute till raw aroma goes away

Add coriander powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, hing, garam masala and salt, now stir to mix with all other spices

Now add finely chopped onion stir till becomes yellowish & soft. Then add finely chopped tomatoes and cook till it releases oil

Then you have to add cooked kidney beans (strain it & preserve stock water what was used to boil kidney beans) and combine with spices and cook for another 3-4 mins

Now pour stock water, add more water if needed and boil for next 6-7 mins, adjust gravy
Then add fresh cream and mix (skip this if you want to make this for dinner to avoid extra calorie)
Now serve this with plain rice (or jeera rice)

 

Punjabi rajma masala recipe

So did you ever try rajma chawal at home? It is not just a food having at home but it is an awesome experience. In case, you have not tried rajma chwal in your life then you should try this at a decent restaurant in Delhi try this at a decent restaurant in Delhi or any other North Indian city. If not possible then at least try it at a local restaurant in your city. I hope, you will definitely enjoy your rajma chawal meal.