Pahadi Rajma Masala Recipe: A Spicy Delight from the Hills

Rajma masala is a popular Indian dish made with kidney beans in a thick and spicy gravy. It is one of the most sought-after vegetarian dishes that can be enjoyed with rice or roti. The Pahadi Rajma Masala is a regional variation of the traditional Rajma Masala that is famous in the northern hilly regions of India, especially Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. The dish has a distinct aroma and flavor due to the use of local spices and herbs. In this article, we will share with you the recipe for the delicious Pahadi Rajma Masala that you can easily prepare at home.

Ingredients

The following are the ingredients required to prepare Pahadi Rajma Masala:

For the Rajma:

• 1 cup kidney beans (rajma)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 green chillies, slit
• 1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
• 1 tsp coriander powder (dhania)
• 1 tsp cumin powder (jeera)
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
• 1 tsp garam masala powder
• 2 tbsp oil
• Salt, to taste

For the Tadka:

• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 1 inch ginger, finely chopped
• 2 green chillies, slit
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder (dhania)
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder (jeera)
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
• 1 tsp garam masala powder
• 2 tbsp oil
• Salt, to taste

Preparation

Follow these steps to prepare Pahadi Rajma Masala:

1. Soak the kidney beans in water for 6-8 hours or overnight.
2. In a pressure cooker, add soaked kidney beans, chopped onion, chopped tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, green chillies, cumin seeds, coriander powder, cumin powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, oil, and salt. Add enough water to cover the ingredients and pressure cook for 5-6 whistles or until the beans are cooked.
3. Once the pressure is released, open the cooker and mash some of the beans with the back of a ladle to thicken the gravy.
4. For the tadka, heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds. When the seeds start to splutter, add chopped onion, garlic, ginger, and green chillies and cooked tomatoes until they get soft.
5. Add chopped tomatoes, coriander powder, cumin powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, and salt. Cooked until tomatoes get soft
6. Add the cooked kidney beans to the pan and mix well with the tadka. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
7. Your dish is now ready to garnish with corainder leaves to eat with chapatis or rice.

Tips for Making Perfect Pahadi Rajma Masala

• Soak the kidney beans overnight to ensure that they cook evenly and become tender.
• Use local spices and herbs to get the authentic taste.