Curried Cranberry Beans






Legumes play a big role in the regular Indian diet. Today’s recipe is a simple but fragrant cranberry beans cooked in a sauce flavored with cinnamon, cardamom, coriander and other fine spices.

I think I am getting (de)famed for posting only salads and soups :-). I do cook other fancy things, but most of the time I try to keep our meals simple but healthy – a lot of raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy protein. My family has learned to appreciate eating healthy food – yes salads and soups and meals that are not greasy and overcooked. They often reach  out a fruit, nuts or raw vegetables for snacks. Not that I deprive them of the unhealthy snack and store bought goodies, but they are rarely used in my home. We do indulge sometimes ;-). When I am cooking  feast for a party or some special occasion I lose the energy and enthusiasm to go through the process of taking pictures and writing; which is why those recipes usually do not see the daylight of my blog. I do not cook for the blog; the blog is instead fed by what I cook. It is a clear reflection of our lifestyle. However I will try to make an effort to post non salad and non soup items ;-D

I do have a long list of some special good recipes that I want to post and also try out from different blogs; but then I have my lifetime to blog – hopefully! Till then do bear with me and thanks for stopping by!

Today’s recipe is not a salad or a soup; it is a simple preparation where any kind of bean (red kidney, navy beans, black eyed peas etc) may be used. I have used the cranberry beans that I had won from Susan’s MLLA (hosted by Sia). Thanks Hurst !

This is what the Cranberry Beans look like:

Cranberry Beans



Curried Cranberry Beans


Ingredients:

  1. 4 Cups Cooked Cranberry Beans
  2. 1 Large Onion, peeled and sliced in thin half moons
  3. 1.5 inch fresh Ginger, grated/minced (or 2 tablespoons ginger paste)
  4. 3 Cloves of Garlic, mashed/minced (or 1 tablespoon garlic paste)
  5. 1.5 Tablespoons Coriander powder/Dhania powder ( I get the coriander seeds and grind them at home)
  6. 2 Small Green Cardamom
  7. 2 Cloves
  8. 1″ piece of Cinnamon Sticks
  9. 1.5 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
  10. 1/2  Cup Tomato Puree, combined with 1/2 Cup water
  11. Salt
  12. 1 Teaspoon Turmeric
  13. 1 Tablespoon Red Chili Powder (Optional)
  14. 1/4 Cup Oil (I have used Canola)
  15. Lemon, Fresh Cilantro/Coriander, sliced onions and green hot peppers for garnish (Optional)



Preparation:

If you are using the dried beans as I did, the best way to prepare them would be to soak them overnight before cooking them. I have pressure cooked the beans as I always do; it takes the least amount of time; about 6-8 minutes after the pressure builds up. They may also be simmered and cooked. Cook the beans with water and salt till tender but not mushy. Set aside.

Place a thick  bottomed pan on the stove. Dry roast the cardamom, clove and cinnamon till fragrant. Pay attention and see they do not get burned. Add the oil in the pan and add the cumin seeds. When the seeds sizzle, put the onions in the oil and fry till some of them start browning and they are clear. Add the ginger and garlic; stir them well for them to combine and cook at medium heat while frequently stirring and tossing till the entire amount has reduced and the oil separates from the sides.

Add the mix of tomato puree and water, salt, turmeric, coriander powder and red chili powder.  Toss again to combine and simmer till the tomato is cooked and you see the oil separating from the mushy mix from the sides. Add the cooked beans and toss them well till the spiced tomato and onion mix coats all the beans well. Cook everything together for about 5 – 7 minutes at medium heat.

Add about 3 cups of warm water to the beans (use more or less water as per how much sauce you would want);  bring it to a slow simmer and cover and cook for about 10 -12 minutes.

Squirt some fresh lemon juice and garnish with fresh cilantro, onions and hot green pepper and serve hot with rice or flat breads.








Related Posts:


Methi Dal (Lentils with Fenugreek Leaves)

Red Lentil Vegetable Soup

Ceci Frito



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33 comments to Curried Cranberry Beans

  • i love beans and this dish looks really appealing! A great combo, yummy!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  • Soma, I need to find out more about these cranberry beans (hadn’t heard of them before) though they look like cooked pinto beans. Beautiful color and texture.

  • I am with RC on this. Never heard of them before but now I am curious. The curry looks delicious and I love the color.

  • Lovely click…I have never seen them too or may be never heard about the name. I am going to look it up on Google.

  • …saw your link and some pics from Google. I do not remember seeing them. They say it is more flavorful than the red or pinto beans. Should look for it.

  • please keep posting soups and salad recipes… I love those 🙂

  • Same here i don’t have a clue what this beans is, first i thought it was the cranberry which we use for making relish etc,,, but then i am wrong about that.
    I am goingto live with you for making me healthy.

  • Looks mouthwatering,very nice pictures too!

  • Even I don’t know what these beans are but they look so so good. Hey your trademark is lovely colorful salads and soups, we definitely need those. That is all I am going to eat for this whole month at least

  • SE

    Wonderful clik and new beans to try…btw what you cook is good to feed the blog rather than cooking for the blog !!

  • The beans are beautiful but sort of lose the beauty when cooked but who cares, they taste so good. We love your soups and salads Soma, keep them coming.

  • you didnt actually put cranberries in your beans. phew! never used cranberry beans before, I should go looking for them 🙂

    hehehe.. No I did not. I have heard dal and cranberries cooked together! wonder how that is going to be.

  • Looks very nice I love this simple and easy recipe.

  • Hi soma,
    Wish you a very happy new year. Never knew these ones are called cranberry beans, I think its the same as rajma, if not mistaken. I love it. 🙂

    nope not same as rajma, tho’ similar. these beans have spots on them.. tho they are not seen when cooked and they taste different than rajma too!

  • This really does look fabulous! I need to start making these Beans. You’ve got a lot of great ones.Thanks for your complement..

  • This looks and sounds great! Cranberry beans? I’ver never heard of that before.

  • Love cranberry beans really a tasteful and aromatic idea for my dinner!
    Healthy and delicious 🙂

    All the best,

    Gera

  • Cham

    Hehe I thought of cranberry & bean – is it pinto bean? Sounds good and hey did u take a resolution not to post any salad? We love it.

  • Cham

    I launched a search I see now what is cranberry bean- very pretty indeed!

  • Reading the title I thought the beans had cranberries.Nice and spicy beans curry. 😀

  • PJ

    I have come to the same point as you, love salads and soups and I think I do end up posting more salads and soups than everything combined! After a huge shift in my diet recently I have come to realize that all the healthy salads and soups can be so simple and yet to delicious with the subtle flavors! Your blog has definitely been a great treasure for such recipes. Love the cranberry beans curry. I have used them once before and had liked them a lot.

  • I’ve never heard of these beans. They look super!

  • Hi Soma,

    I haven’t heard of cranberry beans, but I love the flavours in the sauce. It is lunchtime here and you have made me very hungry.

    ps keep up the steady stream of soups and salads, we love it over here at No Croutons Required 🙂

  • Yummy! A great way to serve beans. I have been (bean) meaning to incorporate more legumes into our lives.

  • I’ve never had cranberry beans and would love to try – this sounds like such a wonderful preparation!

  • Dear Soma,

    This is my first post and i absolutely loved yr blog. The Curry looks tempting.. By the way, i loved yr Salad and Soup’s recipes..simply outstanding!

  • Never heard of this!But looks real good:)

  • That looks spicy and very inviting…I rarely cook beans, will try this version’ for sure.

    Wish you and ur family a very happy new year.:)

  • Next time i will check it out in the shop, now i ahve seen the pic.

  • Those curried beans sound good. I am going to have to look for those cranberry beans to try.

  • I have never used cranberry beans before,but it looks beautiful. Loved the curry ! I usually face the same issue, I cook healthy all the time except for parties and when cooking for parties I rarely have the time or enthusiasm to write down recipe and click pictures 🙂

  • Christine

    Made the curried cranberry beans and they were absolutely delicious!!! I was wondering if you have ever tried adzuki beans and if you have a recipe for them?

    I have never tried adzuki beans except for in the store bought moon cakes. So sorry! I do not have any recipe for it.

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