Rajma – Lockdown style
Rajma – 150 grams
Kasturi methi – 1/2 teaspoon
Bay leaf- one
Black cardamom- one
Cloves – two
Cumin- one teaspoon
Cinnamon – one inch stick
Chilli powder – 3/4 teaspoon
Green cardamom – two
Ginger garlic paste – one teaspoon
Onion – one large, minced
Green chillies – two
Tomatoes- three, puréed
Butter – one tablespoon
Salt to taste
This is a lockdown version which has no cream or fancy ingredients. You can even dispense with the butter
Soak the rajma overnight and the next morning drain the water and wash it at least twice in fresh water. Now pressure cook it for at least ten whistles with salt. When you pressure cook the rajma make sure the water level is half an inch above the rajma. When done take about a quarter of this mixture and let it cool. Purée this cooled down rajma in a blender(do not do this when it is hot or you burn yourself if it splutters from a grinder that’s not locked properly )
In a pot heat butter or oil. If your using butter also add a bit of oil as butter burns at a much lower temperature. If you mix both it won’t burn. Add the whole garam masala spices of cardamoms, bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves and also the cumin. Next add the green chillies and onions and fry till golden brown. Now add the red chilli powder and the tomato purée. Cook this for about three minutes.

Fr. Warner D'Souza is a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Bombay. He has served in the parishes of St Michael's (Mahim), St Paul's (Dadar East), Our Lady of Mount Carmel, (Bandra), a ten year stint as priest-in-charge at St Jude Church (Malad East) and at present is the Parish Priest at St Stephen's Church (Cumballa Hill). He is also the Director of the Archdiocesan Heritage Museum and is the co-ordinator of the Committee for the Promotion and Preservation of the Artistic and Historic Patrimony of the Church.