Kidney Beans and Rice Recipe (Rajma Chawal)
Be it a lazy morning or busy start to the day, recipes that are suitable equally for both the occasions are my favorites. They need to be delicious, healthy and most importantly very easy to make. As I have mentioned umpteenth times, I rely on  protein in our daily diet. I had already talked about my chickpeas rice. Likewise is this rice which is made with Kidney beans instead of Chickpeas as a protein source. Here I have kept it relatively simple without any addition of  vegetables but like many recipes in this site - this is a versatile dish and you can add in whatever your heart/palate desires.
Kidney Beans and Rice Recipe (Rajma Chawal)
This is a quick recipe and it can be made even more simpler if you have canned beans and cooked (leftover) rice on hand. Only make sure that if you are using the canned variety you drain out the beans and rinse it out well first. I also find this dish handy when I have extra cooked kidney beans on hand. Many times I find that I have cooked additional beans and  refrigerate them.  This rice is one such dish which makes use of such leftovers. Less fat, more protein makes this healthy along with no loss in flavor. I love the combo of kidney beans and mint in this rice where the herb makes it taste fresh (esp. useful if you are using leftovers :)). This is a more simplified version of the famous Indian rice dish called Rajma Chawal.
  • Cook time:
  • Prep time:
  • Serves: 2 people
Ingredients
  • 1 cup Basmati Rice *
  • 1 -2 cups cooked Kidney beans **
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tbsp cumin-coriander powder
  • 1 tbsp amchur (dry mango powder) (optional)
  • 1-2 green chillies, thinly sliced (or as per taste)
  • salt to taste
  • 1 bay leaf (optional)
  • few mint leaves for garnish
Tips
* To make this a quick meal you can replace the Basmati with leftover rice. Simply saute the onions along with spices, add the cooked beans and then toss rice with the mixture. ** You can make it more easy on yourself by using canned beans. Make sure to rinse it out well in cold water before use.
Method
1. In a pan, add 1 tsp of oil/ghee. Splutter the cumin seeds, bay leaf and then add the spices. Toss until aromatic - abt 20 seconds
2. Add the chopped onion and chillies to this mixture along with salt. Cook until soft - about 1-2 min.
3. Add the rice and saute until aromatic and the rice turns translucent.
4. Add 2 cups water (or vegetable stock). The amount of water might vary with the quality of rice available to you. Close with a lid and cook
5. until the rice is almost done.
6. Add the cooked kidney beans to the rice.
7. Give to a good toss until well incorporated
I find this rice extra flavorful with mint hence garnish with the same. Cilantro would work equally fine. Serve hot with Raita. Kidney Beans and Rice Recipe (Rajma Chawal)

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4 Member Reviews

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By Anisha on May 24, 2011

I followed the recipe without any changes totally loved it. Thanks 

By Poonam on Mar 22, 2011

I used olive oil to make it low calorie

 

 

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18 Comments

By chandra on Nov 7, 2016

I will try it I love vegetarian dishes. thankyou

By fatima Batool on Jul 19, 2014

Very very yummy rice, i could not stop mysef eating and eating thank you

By Swa on Jan 29, 2012

Still waiting for your response

Use spice bag in the cooking liquid of your beans. It helps to impart more flavor to the beans. Refer this post for details: http://chefinyou.com/2010/06/rajma-chawal-recipe/

By swa on Jan 23, 2012

I have tried your chickpeas and rajma rice. while eating or rather biting into both i find both chickpeas and rajma totally bland in taste as compared to the rice. any suggestions to make it a bit flavourful.

By Rajma Rice « anishathefoodie on May 24, 2011

[...] above all nutritious. This again is a recipe that I didn’t modify at all so here is the link for Rajma Rice. Enjoy Rajma [...]

By Anitaa on Feb 15, 2011

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By Pansy Morrison on Dec 24, 2010

Simply delicious rajma rice, love it with some papads..

By sowmya on Dec 16, 2010

looks yummy,..different rice variety...

By farida on Dec 8, 2010

Thanks for sharing your various Rice recipe. http://chefinyou.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_idea.gif

By Chana on Dec 6, 2010

DK, How wonderful to learn the very very good news! How good to see another report from your kitchen now of the best in tasty and nourishing foods! i.e. a second version of rajma chawal, yes! Best Wishes to you and the lil'one and the whole family.

By swapna on Dec 5, 2010

Healthy and fulfilling one pot meal...love it!!

By Miriam on Dec 5, 2010

Hi, First of all, congratulations on ur lil' one..I am sure u have ur hands full now. My doubt is, can I substitute the rice with dalia?If so, will there be any changes to the measurements?

By CurryLeaf on Dec 4, 2010

Love the rice.Comforting and filling. Its different from the normal rajma rice.Take Care :)

By Shivani on Dec 4, 2010

wow very tempting

By Priya on Dec 4, 2010

Simply delicious rajma rice, love it with some papads..

By Sharmilee on Dec 4, 2010

Such a healthy n nutritious looking rice

By Tweets that mention Kidney Beans and Rice recipe (Rajma chawal) | Chef In You -- Topsy.com on Dec 3, 2010

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by D_K and D_K, D_K. D_K said: Kidney Beans and Rice http://goo.gl/fb/Ef1gG [...]

By Smitha on Dec 3, 2010

simple n fulfilling rice...looks truly yummy!