This protein rich Kidney Beans Spinach Masala is a nice twist to the traditional cuisine. Its a blend of delicious spices and nutritious ingredients.
Rajma Chawal in India is a staple for almost the whole region. So it goes without saying that its Rohit’s favorite meal too.
Kidney beans in India are commonly known as rajma and are a very popular North Indian dish.
With that in mind I wanted to add some greens into these protein rich beans and make it even healthier for my family yet maintaining the Indian flavors.
Spinach is the friendliest green leaves to most of us who do not like too many vegetables or are picky eaters and instead of cooking kidney beans in a traditional style I wanted to make it thicker and richer yet healthier and lighter in calories without compromising on taste.
How to make Kidney Beans Spinach Masala
For this, I mainly I played with the spices from my kitchen spice rack.
I used the most common spices available in our pantry because I wanted to make this recipe super family friendly. Moreover, I was just lazy to go to the store to explore any exotic spices not to forget the budget part.
I love grinding masala paste for many reasons –
- It makes our work easy.
- Reduces the cooking time.
- Blends most of the flavors perfectly bringing out some fantastic taste to the dish.
So I made a paste out of onions, tomatoes, sesame seeds, spinach, cloves, peppercorns and green cardamom along with its skin.
When, I sauteed it in warm oil this masala paste generated mouthwatering aroma.
Cinnamon powder added mild sweetness and softness to the masala paste and turmeric is used in most of the indian recipes and acts as an antiseptic.
After adding rest of the spices the gravy tasted super delectable and each and every spice payed its role beautifully in this entrée.
Lastly, I added boiled kidney beans and topped with very little garam masala to give it a strong aroma of Indian flavor and Kidney Beans Spinach Masala was ready within 25 minutes.
The ingredients might look a little too many but these are absolutely common spices and takes only 25 minutes for Kidney Beans Spinach Masala to get ready.
You may serve it with naan, roti, paratha, rice, pilaf and a side salad. Enjoy unlimited. 🙂
You may also like:
Instant Pot Herbed Masala Lentil Curry
Did you make it?
If you get a chance to make this recipe then please leave your feedback in the comments below along with the ratings. In addition, you may tag @kiipfit on Instagram because we would love to see what you cooked.
Kidney Beans Spinach Masala
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 2 Roma tomatoes (roughly chopped)
- 1/4 cup white sesame seeds
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 4 whole cloves
- 4 peppercorns
- 4 green cardamom
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- Pinch of cinnamon powder
- 1/8 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/4 tsp cumin powder
- 1/4 tsp coriander powder
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- Pinch of ginger powder
- 1 15 oz canned kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp garam masala
Instructions
- In a food processor combine, onions, tomatoes, sesame seeds, spinach, cloves, peppercorns, cardamom and grind smooth.
- Heat oil in a pan and add fennel seeds and cinnamon powder. Let the seeds cook for a few seconds.
- Add the spinach paste to it and saute. Cook for 5 minutes in a medium flame or until cooked thoroughly.
- Now, add turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, ginger powder, chili powder and saute very well. Cook for another 3-4 minutes or until all the spices are cooked properly and you get the aroma.
- Now add kidney beans and mix so as to coat each kidney bean with the spinach paste. Then, add water, salt and garam masala. Mix, cover and cook for 4-5 minutes or until thoroughly cooked.
- Turn off the flame and serve hot with rice, quinoa, chapatti or naan and a side salad.
Video
Notes
- ¼ inch cinnamon stick can also be used to replace cinnamon powder if desired.
- If boiling kidney beans at home you may use the stock instead of adding water. If using canned kidney beans then rinse and drain. Measure kidney beans after draining.
- Feel free to adjust the measurement of chili powder according to taste.
Nutrition
Tam says
Just wondering if ‘4 cloves’ means the aromatic sweet scented type clove spice or ‘garlic cloves’? Thanks
Gunjan says
It means clove spice and not garlic cloves.
Jenn says
Can we say flavor explosion!!! Holy moly, it is 7 in the morning and I cannot wait to get in the kitchen and start making this!! Wow!!! Cannot thank you enough for sharing this. I’m making this soon!
Anvita says
wow,thats an awesome combinations of flavors. I can only imagine how good it will taste.
Ashleigh says
This looks like a great and healthy recipe, I can’t wait to try it! I love the spinach in it! Thank you for sharing!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
Sounds like this is so full of flavor. I haven’t had anything like this before but it sounds yummy.
Amanda | Maple Alps says
This recipe looks right up my alley! I love foods like this! And it looks so fresh and tasty! Thanks for sharing this!
Michaela Knight says
YUMMMM! cant wait to try this — love finding healthy options for a snack
Michaela Knight
https://michaeladesiree.com/
Gunjan says
Thank you Michaela.
Lauren says
This looks delicious! I have never heard of anything like this before… but all those spices together sound amazing!
Gunjan says
Thank you Lauren. It is healthy and protein rich entree and very easy to cook.
Candy says
Kidney beans and spinach an unusual combination. Full of protein.
Gunjan says
I agree Candy. Thank you for stopping by.