
Rajma, Reimagined: How Kashmiri Pandits Turn Thool Beans into a Fragrant Comfort Dish
What Happened?
Kashmiri Pandits enjoy a unique version of rajma called thool rajma, made without onions, garlic, or tomatoes, using local thool beans for a distinct flavor.
Key points
- Thool rajma is a traditional dish among Kashmiri Pandits, differing from regular rajma by omitting onions, garlic, and tomatoes.
- Thool beans, also known as neej dal, are smaller and cream-colored with a buttery taste.
- The dish is prepared using a variety of spices, including Kashmiri chilli powder and saunf.
- Cooking involves pressure cooking the beans and then tempering spices in mustard oil to create a flavorful gravy.
- Thool rajma is typically served hot with steamed rice.
Key insights
- The preparation of thool rajma reflects the cultural significance of traditional cooking methods in Kashmiri Pandit households.
- Using local ingredients like thool beans emphasizes the importance of regional cuisine in India.
- This dish could inspire a broader appreciation for vegetarian recipes that do not rely on common ingredients like onions and garlic.
Why it matters
This dish highlights the unique culinary traditions of Kashmiri Pandits, offering a different take on a popular Indian staple.
Source
Times Now

