Mar 13
2009

Red Kidney Bean Curry and Fragrant Basmati Rice

in Uncategorized

Mr. Fuji and I love Indian food. Indian was one of the things I craved with both of my pregnancies, and I was lucky enough never to have problems with heartburn, so I could eat it nice and spicy like I prefer it. In fact, the last meal I ate when I was in labor with Squirrel was a very spicy lamb curry from Moti, our favorite Indian restaurant in Tokyo. There’s something about all of the spices and flavor combinations that just make my taste buds sing. I recently made a red kidney bean curry that the Fujis really enjoyed.
It’s got all of my favorite spices and flavors in it (garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, etc.) and is reminiscent of a good pot of chili (another Fuji family favorite). I served it with fragrant basmati rice. The curry made wonderful leftovers, and Squirrel and I enjoyed having it for lunch for a few days after.


Red Kidney Bean Curry [Rajmah]

From Smitten Kitchen (Adapted from an Arora spice blend)

Serves 6

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup chopped fresh ginger
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 plum tomato, diced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large green chili, chopped (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground tumeric
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
8 ounce can of tomato sauce or 8 ounces of one of your choice
3 cups boiled red kidney beans or 30 ounces canned red kidney beans, undrained
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (or parsley, if you’re cilantro-averse)

Heat oil in a deep sauce pan over medium heat for one minute. Add ginger, garlic, onion, green chili, and let sizzle for one minute. Add the tomato sauce, salt and remaining spices and cook for an additional five minutes, stirring frequently. Add the kidney beans with water or canned red kidney beans (undrained) plus one additional cup of water, and tomatoes. Bring it to a boil, then reduce to medium heat and let cook uncovered for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Garnish with cilantro.

Serve over rice or with naan. A dollop of plain yougurt on top is heavenly.

FM’s Fragrant Basmati Rice
Makes 6 servings

3 cups basmati rice
1 tablespoon salt
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or butter (helps grains to remain separate and light during cooking)
3 tablespoons fennel seed

1. Put the rice into a large bowl and pour in cold tap water to cover. Swish the grains with your fingers to release starches and to encourage any husks to float to the surface. Pour off the milky water. Wash two or three times until the water runs clear.

2. Soak the rice briefly (15 minutes to an hour). This allows the rice to expand into thin long grains that will not break during cooking. After soaking, drain the rice, saving the soaking water to use as cooking water (this preserves nutrients that seep into the soaking water).

3. Put rice and 4 1/2 cups of water in a large sauce pan (a heavy cooking pan with a tight fitting lid is best for distributing the heat evenly), and bring to a boil. Add salt, olive oil or butter, and fennel. Stir a few times with a wooden spoon. Do not over stir, or you’ll break up the grains.

4. Return to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Do not stir or disturb the rice as it cooks. Removing the lid will let the steam escape and the rice will cook unevenly.

5. Remove from heat, stir once, cover again, and let it sit for another 5-10 minutes before serving.

* If you are using a rice cooker to cook your rice: After washing and soaking the rice, put the rice, water, salt, olive oil or butter, and fennel into the cooker. Cover and turn on the cooker, cooking according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Coming Sunday: One Good Loaf Returns

{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }

Abigail (aka Mamatouille) March 13, 2009 at 7:12 am

Oooh, this looks delish!

And you’re SO lucky you didn’t have heartburn with your pregnancies. Tums were my constant companion.

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K and S March 13, 2009 at 7:27 am

sounds so good!

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Nila Rosa March 13, 2009 at 7:39 am

This looks great. I love how most of these items are already in a well-stocked pantry.

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Erica March 13, 2009 at 9:50 am

It’s funny that you made this post because Tom and I tried this exact recipe last week and loved it. We’ll have to try it with your rice recipe next time.

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Sophie March 13, 2009 at 2:31 pm

Yummi yummi in my tummy!!!
I love all those flavours!! it looks so appetizing!!

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Goldie March 13, 2009 at 10:10 pm

I’ve been making something similar to this lately too! I will try your variation soon. Have you been to The Royal Khyber in Costa Mesa? It’s our favorite Indian restaurant. The best food ever!

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sewtakeahike March 14, 2009 at 8:48 am

We love Indian food too, will have to try this! The Chinese green onion pancakes are almost like naan, I might make those to go with this as well!

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Michele March 14, 2009 at 5:16 pm

That looks absolutely divine. I love Indian food too but have trouble eating it due to the dairy, so I have to make due at home. Thanks for the recipe!

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Chris Hawaii March 14, 2009 at 11:53 pm

You and “Girljapan” take the most amazing food pics!! Dayum I’m hungry!!

I added you to my blogroll. I have a blog about my English School so your not being linked to anything offensive ;)

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diva March 15, 2009 at 10:23 am

lovely looking curry. there’s something about basmati rice that makes my heart melt. yum!

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myfrenchkitchen March 16, 2009 at 10:31 am

This bean curry looks SO delicious!
ronell

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Meg March 20, 2009 at 7:59 pm

Indian food is our FAVORITE!! For a quick Indian meal my husband and I love to cube up and brown a block of Paneer cheese (found at our Indian Market) and then dump Trader Joes Masala Simmer Sauce, peas and cashews–simmer and serve with Trader Joe’s Naan bread. I can’t wait to try this rice w/ it next time–Thanks!

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