Rajma Masala in Instant Pot

Rajma Masala in Instant Pot

Serves: 4 persons

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rajma beans
• 1½ cup water + enough water to soak
• 1 tablespoon ginger grated
• 1 tablespoon garlic grated
• 1 medium onion chopped finely
• 2 tomatoes chopped finely
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• ¼ teaspoon red chilli powder
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ½ teaspoon amchoor powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• ½ teaspoon kasuri methi
• 2-3 tablespoon fresh cream
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoon chopped cilantro

View fullsize

Method:

1. Wash and rinse rajma couple of times. Fill with fresh water and soak for overnight. Next morning,rinse the water from rajma. Keep it aside.
2. Turn on the 'saute' mode on instant pot. Once the hot sign displays, add 1 tablespoon oil. Add cumin seeds, and bay leaf. Let the cumin seeds sizzle. Add chopped onion. Saute for a minute. Add grated ginger and garlic. Mix everything. Add chopped tomatoes. Cover the pot with any plate or the glass lid for 5 minutes.
3. Add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, coriander powder, salt ,and amchoor powder. Add rinsed rajma and mix everything. Add 1½ cup of water.
4. Turn off the saute mode. Place the instant pot lid on with a sealing position. Press manual with high pressure for 15 minutes.
5. After 15 minutes, Let the pressure release naturally.
6. As the pin drops, open the lid. Be careful as the steam will come out. Turn on the saute mode. Add kasuri methi and give a quick stir. Add 2 tablespoon fresh cream and again stir. Cook for 1 minute.
7. Cancel saute mode. Garnish with chopped cilatro. Serve hot with rice or roti or naan.

Notes:

1. 1 cup dry rajma beans will turn into approximately 3 cups of soaked rajma.
2. Always adjust the spice level according to your preference.

View fullsize

Roasted Makhana

Roasted Makhana

Serves: 2 cups

Makhana are also known as fox nuts or lotus seeds. It is a good source of protein, and high in fiber. In many regions in India, makhana is consider as a fasting food. You can use these as a snack or prepare porridge(Kheer), or curry. This is what I eat as a afternoon snack. Let's look at the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups makhana
• 1 teaspoon olive oil or vegetable oil
• ¼ teaspoon red chilli powder
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ¼ teaspoon chaat masala
• Salt to taste

View fullsize

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pan and 2 cups of makhana. Roast them until they are crispy. This process takes 12-15 minutes on low-medium heat.
2. Add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt, and chaat masala to the roasted makhana.
3. Roast for a minute and turn off the heat. You can serve immediately or cool down and then eat. Store in a airtight container after you cool them down.

View fullsize