🌱 Healthy Veg Rajma Pulao Recipe
🕒 Prep Time: 15 mins
🕒 Cook Time: 25 mins
🍽️ Serves: 3–4
🫘 Ingredients:
For the Rajma (Kidney Beans):
- ¾ cup rajma (kidney beans) – soaked overnight & pressure cooked
- Salt – to taste
For the Pulao:
- 1 cup brown rice or basmati rice – soaked 30 minutes, drained
- 1 tbsp olive oil or any healthy oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
- 1 green cardamom (optional)
- 1 medium onion – thinly sliced
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 small tomato – chopped
- 1 cup mixed vegetables – carrots, beans, peas, capsicum
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp garam masala
- Salt – to taste
- 2.25 cups water (adjust for brown rice or basmati)
🌿 Optional Add-ins:
- Chopped spinach or kale (for extra greens)
- A handful of chopped mint or coriander leaves (for freshness)
- A squeeze of lemon juice at the end
🔪 Instructions:
1. Prepare Rajma:
- Soak rajma overnight.
- Pressure cook with salt until soft (3–4 whistles).
- Drain and set aside.
2. Cook Pulao:
- Heat oil in a heavy-bottom pan or pressure cooker.
- Add cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom. Sauté for 30 seconds.
- Add sliced onions and sauté until golden.
- Add ginger-garlic paste; cook for a minute until raw smell goes.
- Add chopped tomato and cook till soft.
- Add turmeric, chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and salt. Stir.
- Add mixed vegetables and cook for 2–3 mins.
- Add cooked rajma and soaked rice. Mix gently.
- Pour in water, adjust salt.
- Cover and cook:
- If using a pressure cooker: cook for 1 whistle on medium heat, then let pressure release naturally.
- If using a pan: cover and simmer until rice is cooked and water is absorbed (~15–20 mins).
3. Finish & Serve:
- Fluff gently with a fork.
- Garnish with fresh coriander or mint, and lemon juice if desired.
✅ Health Tips:
- Use brown rice or quinoa for extra fiber.
- Add leafy greens for more micronutrients.
- Use less oil or dry-roast spices to reduce fat content.
🥗 Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with plain curd, cucumber raita, or a simple salad for a complete meal.