Rajma Vegetarian Chili Food

RAJMA (VEGETARIAN CHILI)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan set over moderate heat, warm the oil until hot, add the onions and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic, tomatoes, gingerroot, cumin seeds, Garam Masala, lemon pepper, and dried red pepper flakes, if desired, and simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.
• Add the beans and salt and pepper to taste, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes more.
• Stir in the lemon juice and cilantro.

RAJMA (KIDNEY BEAN CURRY)

Steps:

• Place the kidney beans into a large container and cover with several inches of cool water; let stand 8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse.
• Grind the onion, ginger, and garlic into a paste using a mortar and pestle.
• Heat the oil and ghee together in a pressure cooker over medium heat. Fry the red chile peppers, cumin seeds, and whole cloves in the hot oil until the cumin seeds begin to splutter; stir the onion paste into the mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Season with the ground turmeric, ground cumin, and ground coriander; continue cooking for a few more seconds before adding the tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes are completely tender.
• Add the drained kidney beans to the pressure cooker with enough water to cover; pour the 2 cups water additionally to the cooker. Add the sugar and salt. Close the pressure cooker and bring to 15 pounds of pressure; cook about 40 minutes. Lower the heat to low and cook another 10 to 15 minutes. Release the pressure and open the cooker. Stir the garam masala and ground red pepper into the bean mixture; garnish with chopped cilantro to serve.

KIDNEY BEAN CHILI, INDIAN STYLE (RAJMA IN MASALA)

Steps:

• Wash the kidney beans well and soak in water overnight.
• Next morning, steam them until tender; or cook in a large pot of water for about an hour or until tender.
• Remove 1/2 cup of cooked beans, crush coarsely and keep aside.
• Grind 1 onion, ginger, coriander seeds, chili peppers, cumin, turmeric, peppercorns, and cinnamon to a very fine paste.
• Heat ghee in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add the chopped onions and saute until golden brown.
• Add the ground paste and saute, sprinkling water occasionally, until the ghee starts separating from the paste.
• Add the cooked beans (not the crushed beans), stir for a while and add salt and dried mango powder.
• Pour 3 cups of water and add the crushed beans.
• Mix well and bring to a boil, twice.
• Serve hot over steamed rice, chappatis, or whole-wheat tortillas.