Spinach And Kidney Beans (Rajma) Briyani

          Since I got my first taste of rajma (kidney beans) I am a big fan of it. Rajma with some plain rice and curd, that's comfort food to me, I simply love these beans. For today's dish I made a briyani (rice preparation) with these super healthy beans and spinach. It turned out to be a hearty, wholesome meal, a very healthy one pot dish, a good lunch box recipe..

Need To Have

• Basmati Rice - 2 cups
• Kidney Beans - 1 cup
• Spinach - 2 cups chopped
• Onions - 2 big chopped
• Tomatoes - 2 medium chopped
• Coriander Powder - 2 teaspoons
• Turmeric Powder - 1/2 teaspoon
• Garam Masala Powder - 1 teaspoon
• Broken Cashews - 2 tablespoons
• Cinnamon - 2" stick
• Cloves - 4
• Star Anise - 2
• Bay Leaf - 1

Make A Paste

• Green Chillies - 8
• Garlic Cloves - 6
• Ginger - 1 + 1/2 tablespoon chopped
• Fennel Seeds - 1 teaspoon
• Javentri - 1/2 " piece

Method
          Soak the kidney beans overnight and pressure cook them. Soak the basmati rice for 1/2 an hour. Heat oil, add the cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf and the star anise, once they sizzle add the cashews, roast for a few secs, then add the onions. Saute the onions till transparent, then add the paste and saute till the raw smell goes away. Now, add the tomatoes, saute till mushy, add the turmeric, coriander and garam masala powder,  mix everthing. Add the drained rice, spinach and salt, mix for few more mins, add 5 cups of water. Once the water starts boiling, reduce the flame and cook till almost done and very little water is left. Now mix in the rajma and switch off and don't disturb for 1/2 an hour. Serve it warm with any raitha or even plain curds.
Sending it to Cuisine Delights for the Spotlight - Lunch Box Ideas event,
                 to Food Corner for the Midweek Fiesta event,
                 to Spice And Curry for Priya's Healthy Diet - Easy And Healthy Lunch event,
                 to Srav's Cooking Concepts for the CC - Spring Seasonal Food event,
                 to Zesty Palette for Vidhya's Love Lock Series - Legumes event and
                 to Taste Of Pearl City for the Healthy Morsels - Pregnancy event.

Note
Can use brown basmati rice to make it even more healthier.
Can use 2 cardamoms instead of the javentri.