Palak Rajma - Spinach & Kidney Beans Curry

I recently found a book meant for kids from 10 above in the library.It looked interesting so I decided to pick it up.The book 'A street kid from Tanzania'(original :Ein Straßenkind aus Tansania),talks about the life of a group of little boys who live on the streets of Tanzania.There are lots of small Kids who live on the streets in India too,but we kind of mostly look through them.We see them everywhere on the roads begging,selling things or doing odd jobs,walking barefoot in the scorching heat .I think it's long since any of us asked questions like,who are these kids ? where are their parents? Where do they sleep ? What do they do for a living ?.This book answers most of these questions.I felt that the book was a bit strong for kids ,as a grown up I found myself getting misty-eyed many times as I read through the book.The story is about a little boy who is forced to live on the streets after his Mother dies and his father deserts him.The book talks about the friendship that he builds with similar children and their everyday struggles.The book makes you appreciate the little things in life which we take for granted ,but are actually big blessings.Sadly the author ,Nasrin Siege writes only in German.She works currently with organisations to help Children in Africa.There is and there has always been injustice happening in the World,but it's really bad when Children are subjected to it and are forced to lose their innocence.Sadly there is not much  that anyone can do about it.....

Today's recipe is a very simple recipe,A very healthy and nice way to sneak Spinach into your diet !...

You'll Need:

Serves 4 -5

Rajma/Kidney Beans - 1/2 a cup 

Spinach - 150 g

Onion - 1 medium(finely chopped)

Tomato - 1 medium(finely chopped)

Garlic - 2 tsp(grated)

Ginger - 1 tsp(grated)

Green Chilli - 1 small one(finely chopped)

Coriander powder - 1 tsp

Red Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp

Dry Mango powder - 1/2 tsp

Cumin Powder - 1/4 tsp

oil - 1 - 2 Tb

Cinnamon - a small stick

Milk - 1/4 cup 

Salt as needed

Garam Masala Powder  - 1/4 tsp

Method:

-Soak the Rajma/Kidney beans overnight or for 6 hours .Pressure cook with a little salt and about 1 and 1/2 cups of water until well cooked and soft.

-I used frozen spinach,If using fresh spinach,clean and chop well.Boil it with little water until it is well cooked.

-Heat the oil in a pan and when it heats up add the cinnamon stick,when it splutters add the Ginger,Garlic and Green Chilli and sauté until slightly browned.

-Add the onions and sauté until golden,Next add the Tomatoes and the powder and 2 Tb of water (you can also add the water from the Rajma /Kidney beans)and mix well.Cover and cook for 3 -5 minutes on low heat until it starts oozing out oil.

-Add the Rajma along with the water and spinach and mix well.Check for salt.

-Let the mixture simmer for 5 - 10 minutes.Add milk and let it simmer for another 2 minutes.Finally sprinkle 1/4 tsp of Garam Masala Powder .

-Goes well with Chapathis and Pulaos.

Note: For a richer taste you can replace the milk with cream.

Thanks for stopping by ! have a blessed day !