Name: Spicy Red Beans (Rajma)
Prep time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h
Yield: Makes 6 to 8 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon garam masala or curry powder, preferably homemade, or to taste; 1 teaspoon ground turmeric; Salt to taste; 2 cups chopped tomatoes (canned are fine); 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 tablespoons corn, grapeseed, or other neutral oil; Pinch of ground cloves; 1 tablespoon ground cardamom; 1 bay leaf; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1 tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger; 1 teaspoon fennel seeds; 1 pound dried red beans, any kind, rinsed and picked over; ½ teaspoon cayenne, or to taste

Preparation info

Makes
6 to 8
servings

Difficulty
Easy
Ready in
2 hr

Appears in

The Best Recipes in the World

By Mark Bittman

Published 2005

About

Chickpeas and lentils are the staple legumes of India, but red beans are cooked from time to time and, typically, done in an extremely flavorful manner. You can add meat to this preparation, which is already quite a bit like chili.

Like Dal with Butter and Cream, this is excellent with some butter (and cream, if you like) stirred in toward the end of cooking.

Make it entirely in advance if you like; it will keep, refrigerated, for a co