Rajma Kebab

Soaking and cooking kidney beans

1. Soak the rajma beans in enough water overnight or for 8 hours.
2. Next day drain all the water. Rinse the rajma beans very well in running water.
3. Then place the rajma beans in a pressure cooker. Add salt.
4. Pour 2 cups water. Pressure cook the rajma beans till they have softened really well. 
5. The time taken for them to cook depends on the age of the rajma beans. If they are fresh or new, they will take less time to cook. I pressure cooked rajma for 18 minutes on a medium flame. This takes about 20 to 22 whistles on a medium flame.
6. When the pressure settles down on its own in the cooker, open the cooker. Mash a few rajma beans and check if they have softened. If not, then pressure cook for some more time.
7. Drain the rajma beans well and keep aside.

Cooking potatoes

1. In another cooker or a pot or pan or steamer, boil 1 medium or large potato. If pressure cooking, then cook the potato in ¾ to 1 cup water for 2 to 3 whistles.

Making rajma kebab mixture

1. When the potato becomes warm, peel and begin to mash it with a fork or masher.
2. Now add the rajma.
3. With a masher mash the rajma beans. Keep aside.
4. In a small pan, heat 2 to 3 teaspoons oil. Add the chopped onions.
5. Saute the onions till translucent or a light brown.
6. Now add ginger-garlic paste or crushed ginger-garlic.
7. Saute till the raw aroma of both ginger-garlic goes away.
8. Add besan or gram flour.
9. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes.
10. Then add turmeric powder, red chilli powder and garam masala powder.
11. Mix very well. Switch off the flame.
12. Now add this sauteed onion + spices mixture to the mashed rajma + potato mixture.
13. Add ½ teaspoon lemon juice or ½ teaspoon amchur powder or ½ teaspoon dry pomegranate powder. You can add less or more as required.
14. Season with salt.
15. Mix very well. Check the taste and add more salt, spices or lemon juice or amchur powder if required.
16. Then shape into small or medium sized balls first and then flatten them.

Pan frying rajma kebab

1. Heat 1 or 2 tablespoons oil in a pan. Place the kebabs.
2. On a low to medium heat, pan fry the rajma kebabs. When the base becomes golden, flip and fry the second side.
3. Fry the rajma kebabs till they are evenly cooked, golden and crisp.
4. Remove the rajma kebab in a plate or tray.
5. Serve rajma kebabs hot or warm with any chutney or dip.