Rajma Curry

Deb and I are fed up of the same old veggies for lunch. In our earlier location, we used to have a large gang of folks to lunch with so always had variety. However, since we moved to a different location we have been eating the same old veggies n non veggies day after day. So decided to cook some rajma. Didn't follow any recipe...just the usual ingredients.

Rajma - 1 cup (soaked overnight)
Aloo - 2-3 (I didn't use any as Deb is diabetic but you can)
Onions - 2
Chillies - 2
Garlic - 4-5 cloves
Ginger Paste - 1 tbsp
Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Garam Masala - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Oil - 1 tbsp
Coriander - a handful
Butter - a spoonful
Water - as per preference

- Boil the rajma in a pressure cooker with a little salt, turmeric and chilli powder.
- Heat some oil in a non-stick pan and once the oil is hot add the cumin seeds till it splutters.
- Add the chillies, chopped garlic and onions and let it cook till onions have browned
- Add the tomatoes and stir some more for 3-4 min
- Add the turmeric, chilli powder and garam masala and mix thoroughly.
- Sprinkle the chopped coriander
- Add this mix to the Rajma in the pressure cooker and stir thoroughly
- Add a little water, depending on the gravy consistency that you prefer
- Add salt to taste and a dollop of butter
- Pressure cook the rajma again

Voila! The Rajma curry is ready.

Aloo Paneer

Woke up late this morning and was in a rush. But still needed to pack my lunch. So made this quick dish. Luckily, had a pack of Heritage paneer in the fridge. Chopped it into squares and kept it in a bowl. Since I had run out of peas and didn't want to go through the tedious task of chopping spinach, decided to go with Aloo Paneer. Psst. Still had time to spare to write the recipe. :)

So here goes:

Ingredients:

Aloo - 2-3 (chopped into squares)
Paneer - 1 pkt (I use Heritage or Amul, but you can use any brand or even homemade paneer)
Mustard Oil - 2 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Bay Leaf - 2-3
Cumin powder - 1 tsp
Ginger Paste - 1 tbsp
Haldi powder - 1/2 tsp
Green Chillies - 2-3 whole
Garam Masala - 1 tsp
Sugar - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Milk - 2-3 tbsp
Ghee (preferred) or butter - 1 tbsp ( it gives a nice flavor)
Coriander Leaves - for garnish

- Heat some oil and fry the potato cubes lightly and remove from heat. You can also fry paneer lightly but I prefer not to.
- In the same oil, add 2-3 bayleaves and cumin seeds and wait till it splutters.
- Add the ginger paste.
- Mix the cumin powder with water and add till you see the water drying up.
- Pour in the fried potatoes along with one cup of water and wait for the potatoes to soften.
- Add the paneer and mix thoroughly and let it cook for around 5 min.
- Add the whole green chilies, garam masala, sugar, milk and lastly add salt.
- Cook for around 5 min and remove from heat.
- Garnish with coriander before serving if you wish.