Punjabi Style Chitra Rajma Masala With Homemade Rajma Masala#SundayFunday

Chitra Rajma is called Pinto Beans in English. These kidney beans are so creamy delicious naturally when cooked! There is a certain creaminess that comes from making this bean from its dried form which means you really don't need to add that much cooking oil when preparing it. This is real comfort food, can be had with steamed rice, roti or crusty bread. Perfect for lunch or dinner. My daughter and her hubby loves kidney beans in any form and this Homemade Rajma Masala elevates this dish to the next level. Chitra Rajma cooks also very quickly.

Cup Measurement = 200Ml
Ingredients
To Cook The Rajma In Pressure Cooker
1½ Cup Dried Chitra Rajma
1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
2 Bay Leaves
2 Brown Cardamoms
1 Teaspoon Salt or to taste
1 Teaspoon Kashmiri Chilly Powder
1 Teaspoon Oil
For The Gravy
½ Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
A Pinch Asafoetida
1 Teaspoon Finely Chopped Garlic
2 Medium Onions - finely chopped
1 Teaspoon Heaped Ginger Garlic Paste
4 Medium Tomatoes - blended
2 - 3 Green Chillies - finely chopped
1 Teaspoon Coriander powder 
½ Teaspoon Cumin powder
½ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
1 Teaspoon Kashmiri Chilly powder
3 Tablespoons Oil
1 Teaspoon Homemade Rajma Masala
1 Teaspoon Desi Ghee
3 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Coriander leaves
For The Homemade Rajma Masala Powder

Makes 475 grams
Ingredients
120 Grams Coriander seeds
70 Grams Cumin seeds
60 Grams Whole Red Chillies
35 Grams Dry Ginger powder
15 Grams Bay Leaves
25 Grams Black Cardamoms
5 Grams Cloves
1 Nutmeg -  broken
70 Grams Dry Pomegranate seeds
50 Grams Amchur powder / Dry Mango powder
Method
For The Homemade Rajma Masala Powder

Dry roast each ingredient separately. Except the ginger and amchur powder. Cool it  then grind all the roasted ingredients together except the ginger and amchur powder. When all ingredients are finely powdered, add the ginger and amchur powder and mix well store in a air tight container. To preserve the color and flavor, store this in the refrigerator.
For Cooking The Rajma

Wash and soak the rajma for at least 7 hours. Then again wash it well. Place this in the pressure cooker with water enough to cover the rajma and all the given ingredients. Cook on medium high flame for one whistle then reduce the flame to low and cook it for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes switch off the flame and let the pressure get released naturally.
For The Gravy

In large kadai/pan heat oil, add the cumin seeds when they start to brown add the asafoetida, then the garlic and sauté till it starts to brown. Now add the onion and fry till it turns golden, the add the ginger garlic paste and sauté till the raw aroma vanishes. Add the blended tomatoes and cook for a 2 minutes then add coriander, chilly, turmeric , cumin powder, homemade rajma masala and salt to taste. Sauté till oil surfaces then add 2 big spoons of the cooked rajma and mash it well so that we get a thick gravy and sauté for a 2 minutes. Now add the remaining cooked rajma and sauté for 2 minutes. Check for gravy consistency if needed add more hot water accordingly to make a nice thick gravy. Cover and cook for 10 minutes on low flame stirring in between. When cooked then add the desi ghee and switch off the flame mix well. Garnish with coriander leaves. 

Enjoy with rice, we enjoyed this with Jeera Rice
Labels: Pinto Beans, Rajma, Kidney Beans, Homemade, Masala, Vegetarian, Gluten free, Indian, Main course, Sunday Funday 

For Sunday Funday we are sharing recipes with "Dried Beans"

Check all the other recipes below

• Black-eyed Peas with Bacon from Food Lust People Love
• Instant Pot Mexican Pinto Beans from Making Miracles
• Instant Pot 13 Bean Soup with Ham from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Indian Style Bean Salad from Mayuri's Jikoni
• Meatless Shepherd's Pie from Amy’s Cooking Adventures
• Protein Rich Devil's Food Muffins from A Messy Kitchen
• Punjabi Style Chitra Rajma Masala With Homemade Rajma Masala from Sneha’s Recipe
• Rajma Pulav Kidney Beans Pulav from Sizzling Tastebuds
• Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Soup from Our Good Life
• Vegan Butter Bean Beetroot Salad from Cook with Renu

Colorful Peppers Pulao#AlphabetChallenge

Colorful Peppers Pulao is an easy, quick and delicious one-pot meal rice made with 3 different bell peppers/capsicum, aromatics and herbs. The best thing about this recipe is that you can use leftover rice too. Perfect for lunch box or kid's tiffin.

Ingredients
½ Each of Red, Yellow, Orange & Green Bell Peppers
½ medium sized Red/ purple Onion
3 Green Chilies - thinly sliced
1 Teaspoon Urad Dal
1 Tablespoon Homemade Curry Powder
1½ Cups  Rice 
2-3 Tablespoons Oil 
2½ Cups Water 
Method  

Dice into little cubes all the colored bell peppers
Heat a frying pan with a tablespoon of oil and sauté the peppers, sliced green chillies and with a pinch salt, and a teaspoon of curry powder. Remove and keep aside.

In the same pressure cooker heat 2 tablespoons of oil, add the urad dal, when it starts to brown add in the rice and sauté it for a minute lightly stirring it or else the rice will break. Then add in the curry powder and sauté again for a minute, add salt to taste and give a good mix. Add in the water and bring this to a rolling boil. Close the cooker and take 2 whistles on high flame. After 2 whistles switch off the flame. 

Let the pressure release on it's own. Open the cooker and stir in the sautéed bell peppers and green chillies lightly fluff the rice with a fork so that the bell pepper as incorporated and the rice is loosen nicely. Serve warm, garnished with chopped coriander leaves.

Enjoy this simple yet completely healthy and wholesome one pot meal! 
Labels: Colored Bell Peppers, Capsicum, Pulao, Pressure Cooker, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten free,  Main course, Curry powder, Homemade, Alphabet Challenge

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet Challenge 2026 - Alphabet "C" 

• Blogghetti: Chai Spice Mix 
• Culinary Cam: Chicken Thigh Schnitzel + Chenin Blanc 
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Chocolate Chip Crescent Roll Cookies 
• Mayuri’s Jikoni : Chora Nu Shaak,Gujarati Style 
• Magical Ingredients: Coconut Rolls 
• Sneha’s Recipe: Colorful Peppers Pulao 
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Corn Saute with Pancetta, Potatoes, and Peppers 
• A Messy Kitchen: Cranberry Pistachio Pull-apart Rolls 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Dill Pickle & Mustard Seed Cream Cheese Spread
• Food Lust People Love: Traditional Cullen Skink
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: White Chicken Chili  

Dahiwale Aloo Ki Sabzi/Potatoes In Yogurt Sauce#AlphabetChallenge

Dahiwale aloo is nothing but potatoes in yogurt gravy.  This  is a very creamy and flavorful gravy.  Its quick easy and tastes delicious.

Ingredients
For the  Aloo 
10 - 12 Peeled Baby Potatoes
½ Teaspoon Cumin seeds
½ Teaspoon Mustard seeds
½ Teaspoon Onion seeds
½ Teaspoon Fennel seeds
¼ Teaspoon Asafoetida
2 Bay leaves
3 Cloves
1 Stick Cinnamon
A Sprig Curry leaves
1 Green Chilly - slit
2 Teaspoon Red chilly powder
1½ Teaspoons Coriander Cumin powder
¼ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
1 Cup Yogurt - whisked
2 Tablespoons Ghee
Salt to taste
For The Garnish
2 - 3 Tablespoons Coriander leaves - chopped

Method  
Heat the ghee in a kadai/pan,  add the cumin seeds, mustard seeds, onion seeds, fennel seeds and asafoetida. When the seeds crackle, add the bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, curry leaves and green chilli and sauté for a few seconds.
Add the potatoes, chilli powder, coriander-cumin powder, turmeric powder, salt and sauté till the masala coats the potatoes evenly. 

Add ½ cup of water and bring to a boil.
Add the curds and bring to a boil while stirring continuously so that the gravy does not split.

Garnish with the coriander. Serve hot as a side dish or have as a main course meal with rotis, naan or paratha.
My Notes

As this gravy cools, potato will absorb some of it, so serve hot. If serving later then add a little more water and make a thin gravy. By the time you reheat/serve, you will still have some gravy left.
Labels : Baby Potatoes, Vegetarian, Yogurt, Main course, Side Dish, Gluten free, Vrat, Jain food, No Onion No Garlic, Alphabet Challenge

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet "Y"

• Sneha’s Recipe: Dahiwale Aloo Ki Sabzi/Potatoes In Yogurt Sauce 
• A Messy Kitchen: Frozen Yogurt Pie 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Teriyaki Ahi, Avocado, and Cucumber Salad
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Vegetable Raita | Indian Yogurt Salad 
• Food Lust People Love: Yamitsuki Addictive Cabbage
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Yangzhou Fried Rice
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Yellow Mustard Seed Giardiniera Deviled Eggs
• Culinary Cam: Yemarina Yewotet Dabo (Ethiopian Honey Bread)  
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Yogurt Cornbread 

Mixed Vegetable Sliders#SundayFunday

These Mixed Vegetable Sliders are cheesy, buttery, loaded with veggies and deliciousness. Make it for your next party or kids' lunchbox, or can take with on a travel journey like I did!

Ingredients 
9 Bread Rolls/Pavs  
1 Bowl Mixed Veggies - I used frozen
½ Cup Diced Colored Bell Peppers
½ Cup Pizza Sauce
½ Cup Boiled Sweet Corn
1 Onion - finely chopped
2 Cloves Garlic - minced
1 Tablespoon Oil

Salt & Pepper to taste
1 Cup Shredded Cheese
Garlic Herbed Butter as required
Method
To Make The Filling

In a pan heat oil add the onion & garlic saute till the onions turn translucent. Add all the veggies and saute for a minute then add the pizza sauce, salt and pepper to taste. Cover and let is cook till veggies are done. Once done add a little cheese, mix well.  
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a baking pan.

Cut the rolls in half. Set the bottom halves into the bottom of the prepared pan and spread butter on it. 

Place a layer of the filling and spread grated cheese. Add the top halves of the rolls.  

Brush with garlic herbed butter over the tops of the sliders.
Bake in the preheated oven until the insides are gooey and the tops are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.

Labels: Sliders,Vegetarian, Mixed Vegetable, Appetizer, Starters, Sunday Funday

This week’s Sunday Funday is hosted by Amy by Amy’s Cooking Adventures

Sunday Funday

Thanksgiving Appetizers

This week’s Sunday Funday is hosted by Amy by Amy’s Cooking Adventures

Sunday Funday

Thanksgiving Appetizers

• Baby Corn Rumaki by Palatable Pastime
• Baked Brie with Dried Cranberries, Apples, and Walnuts by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Charcuterie Bites Pumpkin Centerpiece by Our Good Life
• Cranberry-Chevre Twice Baked Potato Skins by Culinary Cam
• Creamy Duck Liver Mousse by Food Lust People Love
• Date and Walnut Bites by Sid's Sea Palm Cooking
• Membrillo - Quince Paste with Manchego Cheese by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Mini Bread Cornucopia by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls by Mayuri's Jikoni
• Mixed Vegetable Sliders by Sneha's Recipe

Keto Vegetarian Eggplant Rollatini

This Eggplant Rollatini recipe is a twist on a traditional Eggplant Parmesan and this is a vegetarian version. “Rollatini” is an Americanized version of the Italian word “involtini,” which describes small bundles of food made by rolling thin slices of meat or produce around a filling. 

Here I, have pan fried eggplant slices instead of deep frying. For the sauce have used my Keto Homemade Roasted Tomato Sauce. While this was baking in the oven great aroma of all deliciousness filled my kitchen. Try this and you will love it. This recipe works great as a vegetarian side for potluck & parties.

Serves - 4
Ingredients
2 Large Eggplants/Brinjals
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
½ Cup Keto Roasted Tomato Sauce
1 Medium Red Onion
2 Clove Garlic - Minced
2 Tablespoons Coriander or Basil Leaves - chopped
Salt & Red Pepper Flakes - to taste
½ Cup Homemade Basil Pesto 
½ Cup Greek Yogurt / Hung Curd
100 Grams Feta Cheese
1/3 Cup Pizza Cheese
1 Tablespoon Chopped Coriander / Basil Leaves - for garnish
Method
For The Sauce

Heat olive oil in a pan. Saute chopped onion, minced garlic until translucent. Add roasted tomato sauce, salt, red pepper flakes and cook until the sauce thickens.
Prepare The Eggplants

Trim off the ends of the eggplants. Slice them lengthwise into ¼ inch slices. Salt the eggplant slices generously and place them in a colander. Set aside for 20 minutes to draw moisture out of the eggplant.
Then rinse off the slices in water and pat them dry using paper towels.

Brush the slices with olive oil on both sides. Heat a griddle and roast the eggplants for about 5 minutes per side until browned. 

Set aside and allow to cool.
For The Stuffing
In a bowl, combine thick basil pesto, Greek yogurt and feta cheese. Mix well and season to taste.

Place the pesto mixture on the broader side of an eggplant slice (about a teaspoon of the filling), gently roll it away from you and place it in the baking try with seam side facing down.

Continue with the remaining eggplant slices.
Preheat oven to 180°C.
To Assemble

Spread the sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. 

Arrange all the rolled eggplants.

Again spread a layer of tomato sauce.

Sprinkle with pizza cheese on top and basil leaves. Cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and cheese is golden brown. 

Remove from the oven.

Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.
The combination of flavors and textures is fantastic. The filling offers a bright, creamy contrast to the silky eggplant, and the pesto adds delicious taste.  Enjoy! 
My Notes
Instead of greek yogurt you can use extra-firm tofu or paneer/cottage cheese.

Labels: Eggplant, Brinjal, Vegetarian, Cheese, Keto, Low Carb, Baked, Feta Cheese, Pesto Sauce, Side Dish, American, International Cuisine

Welcome to Holiday Side Dish Week 2025. See below for different side dish recipes to help you plan your holiday meals. Friday Holiday Side Dish Recipes

 

• Homemade Green Bean Casserole by Hezzi-D's Recipe Box
• Baked Pumpkin Rice Casserole by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Sweet Potato and Leek Gratin by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Smashed Sweet Potatoes and Apples by Jolene's Recipe Journal
• Keto Vegetarian Eggplant Rollatini by Sneha's Recipe
• Pear Compote by Art of Natural Living
• Creamy Baked Orzo by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Cheese Stuffed Garlic Rolls by Magical Ingredients

Sweet Potato Patties#SundayFunday

These patties are tasty, nutritious, pan fried with just minimal oil. A perfect snack or appetizer for vegetarians.
Ingredients 

2 Cups Grated Potatoes - boiled 
400 Grams Grated Sweet Potatoes - boiled 
1 Tablespoon Desiccated Coconut
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
1 Teaspoon Ginger Garlic paste
1 Green Chilies - finely chopped
1 Small Onion - finely chopped
4 Tablespoons Coriander leaves - finely chopped 4 tbsp
4 Tablespoons Corn flour
1 Teaspoon Coriander powder
½ Teaspoon Mustard seeds
1 Tablespoon Oil
Oil for frying
Bread crumbs as required
Method

Bake  the sweet potatoes and potatoes.
Grate the sweet potatoes and potatoes, mix in salt to taste. Heat a tablespoon oil in a wok, add mustard seeds, crushed red pepper,  chopped onion, chilly powder, coriander powder desiccated coconut, ginger garlic paste, chopped green chilies cook for 5 minutes, remove, cool, Add this to the grated potatoes mix well, make into balls, then into flat disc.

Make a thin slurry with water and cornflour, dip each patty in slurry then roll in bread crumbs. 

Pan fry them in little oil as possible on medium high flame till golden on boths sides. Serve hot with chatni of your choice.

Labels: Sweet Potato, Potato, Appetizer, Snack, Kids delight,Sunday Funday, Vegetarian 

For Sunday Funday we are sharing recipes with Sweet Potatoes.

• Karen's Kitchen Stories: Beef and Sweet Potato Stir Fry 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili 
• Food Lust People Love: Miso Honey Roasted Hasselback Sweet Potatoes 
• Mayuri's Jikoni: Shakkariya Nu Shaak
• Culinary Cam: Spiced Sweet Potato-Red Lentil Stew 
• Sneha's Recipe: Sweet Potato Patties 
• Sid’s Sea Palm Cooking: Sweet Potato Sushi

Vegetarian Rice Roni With Homemade Rice Roni Mix#SundayFunday

This Homemade Rice Roni is a blend of rice and pasta which then cooked in butter, chicken/vegetable stock and seasonings until light and fluffy. A quick easy dish that tastes so good. This Homemade Rice-A-Roni has no artificial ingredients and is absolutely delicious.

I had this Rice Roni many times when abroad. I loved it , but, here it's not available so made my own. This is a basic mix, you can have many add ons/flavorful spices to it when you are cooking this as a meal.

This Homemade Rice Roni is the perfect accompaniment to make a complete and delicious meal with chicken, fish, steak or shrimp. 
Ingredients
200 Grams Spaghetti - broken into pieces
2 Cups Basmati Rice
1 Tablespoon Oil
Method
Wash the rice with a wet cloth and let it dry for some time. In the meantime in a pan heat a tablespoon of oil and fry the spaghetti for a minute or two only. Cool and mix it with the rice.

Homemade Rice Roni Mix is ready.

Made a vegetarian version of this for our lunch.
Vegetarian Rice Roni

Ingredients
1 Tablespoon Dried Chives
1 Teaspoon Italian Seasoning Mix
1 Bay Leaf
¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper Powder or to taste
1 Vegetable Stock Cube
1 Scallion/Spring Onion - chopped
1 Medium Onion - chopped
1 Teaspoon Minced Garlic
5 - 6 Broccoli Florets
¼ Cup Diced Carrots
¼ Cup French Beans - chopped
½ Cup Colored Bell Peppers - chopped
1 Small Tomatoes - chopped
1½ Cups Rice Roni
3½ Cups Water
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 Tablespoon Oil

Method

Heat oil and butter in a large pot/pan, fry the onion, till translucent, add all the veggies, chives, seasoning , bay leaf and sauté for a minute.  

Add the stock cube, water , give it a light mix and bring this to a rolling boil.

Now add the Rice Roni , give it a light stir. Cover, let it be on high flame for a minute then reduce the flame to low and let it cook for 12 -15 minutes giving it a light stir after 5 minutes. Check for taste and seasoning, add black pepper powder to your taste ( this is optional).

When liquid has been absorbed, take a test bite to see if rice is cooked through. Add hot water if necessary and continue cooking if it needs a bit more time.

Delicious Rice Roni is ready to enjoy.

Serve this with Egg And Cauliflower Salad.
Labels: Broccoli, Carrot, Vegetarian, Pasta, International Cuisine, Capsicum, Rice Roni, Pasta & Noodles, Homemade, Rice, Sunday Funday

Check this recipe made with Rice Roni Mix  

• A Voyage into the Pasta Universe with Gluten-Free Pestazzule. Mafaldine. and Stringozzi by Culinary Cam
• Pasta alla Norcina Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Pumpkin Gnocchi by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Spaetzle by Sid's Sea Palm Cooking
• Vegetarian Rice Roni With Homemade Rice Roni Mix by Sneha's Recipe