Imagine buttery soft kidney beans simmered in a curry base bursting with the rich flavors of coriander and tomato and studded with lightly caramelized onion and plenty of garlic. Lubya is perfect served alongside fragrant basmati rice with a garnish of cilantro and minced red onion. Have you had Afghan cuisine before? Afghan restaurants are few and far between in the US, which is a shame as the food is SO good. The cuisine is reminiscent of the Indian-Pakistani food I grew up eating (not surprising, as Afghanistan shares a border with Pakistan), though the spices are used to a different effect. I find Afghan food to be milder than Indian food, both in amount of spices used and how hot-spicy the dishes are. So while this kidney bean curry looks quite similar to the Indian dish rajma, you’ll find the ingredient list simpler. This afghan kidney bean curry is ultra flavorful, but instead of using a half dozen spices including a spice mix (typically garam masala) as you would typically see with an Indian curry, we use only three spices and let them sing.
Building the flavors:
Whole cumin seed and coriander seed are essential to building the flavor of lubya. They are tempered in hot oil to bring out their best and deepest flavors, then simmered in tomatoes to make a flavorful gravy. Cumin provides the backdrop with its earthy flavor, while coriander brightens the dish with its floral and sweet tasting notes. We also add some dried mint, not enough to overpower the dish or even cause it to taste minty, but it adds a bit of extra freshness to the curry. The spiced tomato sauce is blended to a smooth consistency, an extra step which creates the creamy consistency of the gravy and blends the spices smooth. Personally, I’m not a fan of biting into crunchy whole coriander. Blending also makes the sauce a beautiful bright red-orange color. After the tomato gravy is made, the onions and garlic and sautéed until soft and lightly caramelized. This sweetens the onions, which complements and enhances the savory flavors of the curry. Once caramelized, we add back the tomato gravy, throw in the cooked kidney beans and season with salt and pepper and let everything simmer for the flavors to meld. One of my favorite things I’ve picked up on in Afghan cuisine is the way black pepper is used. At least at the restaurants I’ve eaten at and the recipes I’ve come across in my research, hot chili peppers are not used in the same abundance they are in Indian cuisine. Instead, freshly ground black pepper is added in generous portions for a delicious peppery flavor that builds as you eat the dish. This may be a disappointment for pepper-lovers, in which case you may garnish with fresh minced chilies or fry some up alongside the garlic. Personally I appreciate the differences between Afghan and Indian cuisine and am a huge black pepper fan! One thing you might notice in my Indian and Afghan recipes is that I like to cook with coconut oil. It adds extra depth of flavor to the dishes that you might miss when you don’t cook with ghee. That being said, it’s fine to use whatever canola or vegetable oil you’d like. This Afghan kidney bean curry comes together relatively quickly and super easily. It’s super healthy and flavorful, and so satisfying to eat. It’s delicious served with basmati rice and a side of vegetable (such as roasted cauliflower). Even better, make some Afghan leek stuffed flatbread (leek bolani) to go alongside it (in which case, you might as well also make Afghan chutneys)! It’s a match made in heaven. I hope to add more Afghan-inspired recipes in time, it’s a little bit of a ode to my Afghan heritage. Some of my dad’s family is descended from the Durrani Tribe, and that’s about all I know about it. But it’s a great excuse to explore the cuisine! You’re welcome, belly. This was one of the first recipes I published to The Curious Chickpea, and we make this dish so frequently that I thought it worth an update with new photos! Hope you enjoy! If you make this Afghan kidney bean curry, leave a comment below and rate the recipe on the recipe card. And please share your photos with me on Instagram, tag @thecuriouschickpea and #thecuriouschickpea. I love seeing your recreations! *Based on how salty your broth and beans were you might need more or less salt, so it’s always smart to start with less and add more to taste
