Thursday, August 25, 2011

RAJMA (KIDNEY BEANS)




INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 Cup Kidney beans
  • 1 Onion, finely chopped
  • 2-3 Tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 Tsp cumin seeds
  • About 1 inch ginger, peeled and grated
  • 1-2 Green chillies thinly sliced (or as per taste)
  • 1/4 Tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 Tbsp cumin-coriander powder
  • 1 Tsp garam masala
  • 1 Tbsp amchur powder (dry mango powder) (or use lemon juice)
  • Salt to taste
  • Cilantro for garnish
METHOD:

  • Heat the oil in a deep pan and add cumin seeds. When they stop sizzling, add onion and fry till soft.




  • Add ginger and garlic and fry for 2 minutes.




  • Add green chillies, tomatoes, coriander-cumin, amchur, turmeric and garam masala powders and fry till the oil separates from the masala.




  • Add red kidney beans, 3 cups of warm water,salt to taste and cook till beans are very soft (aproximately 10 minutes).




  • Mash some of the beans roughly (this thickens the gravy).




  • Garnish with corainder and serve piping hot with plain boiled rice or roti 




  • POHA (Flatened Rice)




    INGREDIENTS:
    • 2 Cups poha (flattened rice)
    • 2 Tbsps vegetable/ canola/ sunflower cooking oil
    • 1 Ttsp mustard seeds
    • 5-6 Curry leaves
    • 2 Green chillies slit lengthwise (optional)
    • 1 Medium onion chopped fine
    • 1 Large/2medium potatoes quartered and sliced very thin
    • Handful of unsalted peanuts (skins removed)
    • Pinch of turmeric powder
    • Juice of 1/2 a lime
    • Salt to taste
    • Chopped coriander to garnish
    • 1/2 Cup peas and carrots (optional)
    METHOD:
    • Put the poha in a sieve and wash under running water for 2 minutes. Keep aside to drain.
    • Heat the oil in a pan on a medium flame and add the mustard seeds, curry leaves and green chillies. Fry till the spluttering stops and then add the onion. Fry till soft and translucent.
    • Add the peanuts and potatoes and stirring frequently, cook for 2-3 minutes.Add peas and carrots (optional for decor) 
    • Drain the poha completely to remove all water and add it to the above mix. Add the turmeric powder and stir well to blend all ingredients.
    • Cook for another minute. Turn off the fire. Pour lime juice over the poha and mix well.
    • Garnish with chopped coriander and serve while hot. Poha tastes great with Mint-Coriander Chutney!