Rajma Pulao is an easy and quick One Pot meal made with Rajma (kidney beans), Rice and basic pantry spices. Great for potluck or brunch.
Rajma Pulav – a delicious one pot meal has me in smiles. Smiles not because of the onion prices have dropped a bit, but smiles because the husband and the elder one who are staunch Anti-Rajma campers (simply called bean-haters) asked for second helpings !!
Yay… I found a way to serve Rajma in a pure form (rather than sneak them in Rajma Pepper Quesedillas , the Mexican Baleadas Honduras or Multigrain Adai or the favourite Galoti Kebab, of course the fresh Rajma Sundal (kidney bean stir fry) is quite welcome, but well, during Navratri).
Some time ago, I also used fresh Rajma that my friend had sent over in these delicious GF / Vegan Rajma Sweet Potato Tikkis which were also well received.
So, all in all we have another Rajma (Kidney bean) dish that can go to the meal rotation.
But as I had a worthy winner in persuading the better half to eat Rajma in a delicious form, I shall definitely be looking at making this dish again. If you like Pulav /One Pot meals like us, why not try this Darshini Style (Restaurant Style) Veg Pulav or this Quick and Easy Bachelor kitchen friendly Tomato Rice or even this Yelllina Chitranna (Karnataka style sesame flavoured rice)
Similar Easy and Quick One Pot meals you may like
Do try this nutrition packed version and let me know how you liked it.
Prep time – 15 mins. Soak time : overnight. Cook time – 20 mins+15 mins
Serves – 3~4 generously
PIN FOR LATER
What you need:
- 1 cup Kidney beans (200 grams Rajma, I used the red variety
- 1.25 cups Basmati rice (any long-grained rice would work)
- 1.5 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 cup Mint
- 3 TBSP cup coriander leaves (packed)
- 2 green chillies (adjust spice, slit)
- 1/8 tsp turmeric
- 1 TBSP Coriander powder
- 1 tsp Red Chilli powder (adjust spice)
- 1 Tomato (medium – juilenned)
- 1 Onion (Medium, peeled and sliced thin)
- 3 Garlic pods (minced fine)
- 2 TBSP Oil
- 1 tsp Ghee (skip for vegan version or replace it with 1 tsp oil or vegan butter)
Whole masala / spices :
- 2 bay leaf
- 1 cardamom (green elaichi)
- 1 tsp Caraway seeds (Shahjeera)
- 1 black cardamom
Masala paste:
- 1 large Onion
- 2 Garlic pods
- 1/2 inch Ginger
- 8 Cashews (soaked in warm water – opt. but recommended, skip for. nut allergy)
How to make Rajma Pulav:
- Soak the rajma / kidney beans overnight, rinse and cook till soft, but not mushy.
- Tip – I always have a large batch of cooked chickpeas / Rajma in the freezer, so I thawed a portion of this for the pulav. Save $$ and time too! Click here how to cook and freeze beans in bulk
- Wash the rice several times and soak the rice for 10-15 mins.
- Meanwhile, grind the masala paste, prep the onions and tomatoes
- In a pressure cooker, add oil + ghee. Saute the whole spices, green chillies and the ground masala paste
- Add half the coriander and mint leaves, and saute for a minute.
- Add the onions and half the tomatoes and saute for 2 minutes till Onions turn translucent and the raw smell of masala paste disappears.
- Add the rajma (mine was frozen and thawed, so dropped it right in).
- Mix in the drained rice and gently stir without breaking the rice.
- Add the rest of the tomatoes and spice powders, mix once and add 1.5 x the water. Rice : water for basmati is 1:1.5
- Pressure cook for just 1 whistles, Let the pressure drop on its own
- Fluff up the pulav and serve hot with raita and Papad.
- Check out this video embedded below for the method
Sneha from Sunday Funday is hosting “Cook with any dried bean”. See what the other members of this fun club chose to share for this Theme. This group of amazing bloggers post every Sunday on a different theme hosted by turns. If you want to join us, check out our Facebook group here.
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Rajma Pulav | How to make Kidney beans pulav | GF One Pot meals
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker
- Thick Bottomed Pan
- Pots and Pans
- Spice Grinder
- Knife and Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 1 cup Kidney beans (200 grams Rajma) I used the red variety
- 1.25 cups Basmati rice any long-grained rice would work
- 1.5 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/4 cup Mint
- 3 TBSP coriander leaves packed
- 2 green chillies adjust spice, slit
- 1/8 tsp turmeric
- 1 TBSP Coriander powder
- 1 tsp Red Chilli powder adjust spice
- 1 Tomato medium – juilenned
- 1 Onion Medium, peeled and sliced thin
- 3 Garlic pods minced fine
- 2 TBSP Oil
- 1 tsp Ghee skip for vegan version and replace it with 1 tsp oil or vegan butter
- 2 bay leaf
Whole masala / spices :
- 1 cardamom green elaichi
- 1 tsp Caraway seeds Shahjeera
- 1 black cardamom
Masala paste:
- 1 large Onion
- 2 Garlic pods
- 1/2 inch Ginger
- 8 Cashews soaked in warm water – opt. but recommended, skip for. nut allergy
Instructions
- Soak the rajma / kidney beans overnight, rinse and cook till soft, but not mushy.
- Tip – I always have a large batch of cooked chickpeas / Rajma in the freezer, so I thawed a portion of this for the pulav. Save $$ and time too! Click here to learn how to cook and freeze beans in bulk for immediate use.
- Wash the rice several times and soak the rice for 10-15 mins.
- Meanwhile, grind the masala paste, prep the onions and tomatoes
- In a pressure cooker, add oil + ghee. Saute the whole spices, green chillies and the ground masala paste
- Add half the coriander and mint leaves, and saute for a minute.
- Add the onions and half the tomatoes and saute for 2 minutes till Onions turn translucent and the raw smell of masala paste disappears.
- Add the rajma (mine was frozen and thawed, so dropped it right in).
- Mix in the drained rice and gently stir without breaking the rice.
- Add the rest of the tomatoes and spice powders, mix once and add 1.5 x the water. Rice : water for basmati is 1:1.5
- Pressure cook for just 1 whistles, Let the pressure drop on its own
- Fluff up the pulav and serve hot with raita and Papad.
- Check out this video embedded below for the method
Very nice and healthy.. I also make it sometimes.
thanks shobha. Nice to know you also make it 🙂
I usually use red kidney beans when I make Mexican rice, but your Indian style rajma pulav looks very tempting. I enjoy using fresh red kidney beans whenever they are available in season in Kenya.
Thanks Mayuri. Mexican Arroz Rojo was on my mind, but then made this Indian version 🙂
Love this! We love rajma at home, and using it in an Indian-style Pulav sounds very interesting. Will definitely be trying this out some time. 🙂
Glad to hear you guys love Rajma .. do try this Priya ! am sure you would like it..
Please pass me on that bowl of rice… I am feeling totally hungry looking at it… Looks totally delicious! Also love the prop used… pretty plate! 🙂
Come over, Rafee . Will make you some. Thanks – the plating and photography was both done by the elder girl 🙂
Love the one pot option as it will be so useful on the days I cant be bothered for more. Plus this pulao takes care of the protein needs. Ideally with a raita it is a wholesome meal.
Yes, Seema ! this totally is a very filling One Pot Meal and gets done in a jiffy if you have the cooked beans on hand !
Used rajma in Mexican rice but never made pulao. Your looks so aromatic and delicious. Perfect one pot meal for a lazy day. I will surely try it sometime.
after mexican rice, this seems to be the kids favourite now, Sujata 🙂
I love rajma in any form or dish! This pulav looks so delicious dear; cannot blame your husband for asking for seconds! A perfect one pot meal to enjoy any time!
thank u vanitha. For a rajma-hater like the husband, asking for seconds was truly a welcome surprise.. 🙂
wow.. what a lovely way to use rajma. Pulao looks so inviting with each grains separate. Loved your masala paste using cashews that makes it so rich
Thanks Narmadha. yes the cashews did add to the creaminess
Loved this Rajma Pulao, so easy and quick to make. This is a perfect recipe for lunchboxes, nutritious and wholesome. a nice change from Rajma Chawal which is our weekend staple.
I was glad to make them eat Rajma in this form, Rajma Chawal is a distant dream for me 🙂 lol !!
An easy and delicious one-dish meal, if there was ever one. Protein-rich and filling too.
thanks Aruna.. yes easy and filling too !
I make such rajma pulao often and it makes for a delicious and filling one pot meal. Goes well in lunch box as well with some raita or curd.
Yes Poonam, it was indeed delicious 🙂
Kalyani, this is my go to recipe for weekday lunch box. In fact we make the Pulao or Rice more often than the curry. Quite filling, hearty and comforting. Needs a side of salad and chaas for the complete meal experience. Looks delicious.
Thanks Vidya. yes we did enjoy this with salad and raita.
Wow, the rajma chawal looks incredibly delicious! I love that you have used cashews in curry, I usually don’t add on it. Perfect lunch treat. Love to eat with pickle and salad.
This is best one pot meal option which i always love to cook.Busy days and one pot meal is a savior.Adding cashews gives the creamy flavor which adds to the beauty of this pulav.
Loved this protein rich one-pot dish. This comes handy on busy days and midweek. I always end up using canned beans as I'm terrible at pre planning to soak beans! Lovely share Kalyani.
Rajma pulao looks very tempting Kalyani !!! I am simply loving this one pot meal here using rajma in it… And also love the platter you have used here 🙂
I made this, too! I loved it. Thanks for joining me this month.
Thanks Sneha
Healthy one-pot meal, I love such for quick weeknight dinners.
Thanks Renu. Yes weeknight dinners just got easier 🙂
Another wonderful meatless meal just in time for Lent. Thanks.
Awesome! Do try when possible
This is a perfectly delicious side dish!
THank you Kelly, yes we enjoyed it
Huge win winning the bean haters over! I’d love this dish too, Kalyani!
absolutely! I couldn’t be happier, Stacy 🙂
I’ve just come from my travels and was wondering what to make for dinner. After coming across your recipe for Rajma Pulav, am sorted. Have some cooked beans in the freezer. Rice it is for tonight with some yogurt.
Awesome. Glad it worked out
This looks so tasty!
Thanks Amy