Paneer Jalfrezi

Recipe for Paneer Jalfrezi

Did you try this paneer recipe yet?

It tastes extremely  delicious with goodness of veggies and paneer in  it! It goes well with any Indian bread or rice.

What is Jalfrezi?

Jalfrezi is one of the most popular dishes in Indian restaurants in the UK. The word Jalfrezi originated from the local eateries of West Bengal, India. The word is derived from Bengali language where ‘Jhal’ means spicy. Jalfrezi is a type of curry which involves frying marinated pieces of meat or vegetables in oil and spices to produce a dry, thick sauce. As the dish includes green chilies, a jalfrezi can range in heat from a medium dish to a very hot one. Other main ingredients include bell pepper, onion and tomato. From the times of the Chinese, when it was created as a way of using leftover meat, the chilies have helped to disguise any disagreeable taste. 

This is a semi dry curry recipe  and can be also made with mix of vegetables and paneer. Jalfrezi is a delicious, crowd-pleasing curry for any special occasions. This Indian spiced Paneer stir-fry is bright and beautiful,  requires less time to make and  is so flavorful. It’s a medley of colors,  texture and tastes.

Paneer Jalfrezi is one recipe that is highly customizable, easy and quick to make, looks very appealing, is nutritious making it perfect for busy days.

How to make vegan Jalfrezi?

To make vegan jalfrezi replace (INDIAN COTTAGE CHEESE) Paneer with tofu. You can skip paneer and make it as vegetable jalfrezi by adding extra veggies like baby corn, mushroom, cauliflower.

How to make Chicken Jalfrezi?

Jalfrezi is a very popular dish. Here I am sharing a vegetarian version of the same using paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese) but you can add  Chicken instead of paneer and make chicken jalfrezi. It is very customizable dish. Just marinate the chicken and keep then fry it and then add to the gravy.

What  is required for making Paneer Jalfrezi ?

Vegetables: Onion (chopped and sliced), tomato (puree and sliced), sliced ginger, sliced mixed  bell peppers (capsicum), green chili, coriander leaves.

First of all prep your paneer & vegetables by chopping them all in length wise. This will give the dish a uniform look.

Spices and Condiments: Cumin, turmeric, chili powder/cayenne pepper, coriander powder, garam masala, salt, tomato ketchup sauce and vinegar. If you don’t have vinegar use lime juice. I have used Maggi tomato sauce. You can use any other brand of your choice like Hunts tomato sauce.

Paneer: I have used store bought frozen paneer but you can use fresh homemade ones too.

How to serve Paneer Jalfrezi?

Jalfrezi pairs well with naan, paratha, roti, kulcha or any Indian bread. This semi-dry dish also goes well with jeera rice  or any kind of pulao  or simple steamed rice .

How to make Paneer Jalfrezi

INGREDIENTS 

• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds or jeera
• 1 dried red chili 
• 1 green chili whole or slit
• 1 medium onion ,sliced lengthwise
• 1 teaspoon ginger ,sliced
• 1 teaspoon garlic ,minced
• 1 teaspoon reds chili powder 
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder 
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder 
• ½ red bell pepper, sliced lengthwise
• ½ green bell pepper, sliced lengthwise
• ½ yellow bell pepper, sliced lengthwise
• 1 medium tomato, de-seeded, sliced lengthwise
• 1/2 of medium size Onion chopped finely 
• ½ cup tomato puree ( 1 large tomato pureed)
• 200 grams paneer, cut lengthwise (7 oz)
• ½ teaspoon garam masala 
• Salt to taste
• Vinegar or lemon juice
• Cilantro (coriander leaves) to garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat, add chopped ginger, then add sliced onions sauté for a minute or two.

2. Then next add bell peppers and sauté for another minute the vegetable should not loose it’s crunchiness .

3. Next add the deseeded sliced tomatoes. Stir fry for a minute.

add

4. Finally add paneer stir fry all together for  few seconds, then take them out of the pan and keep aside.

5. Now in the same pan heat oil again add cumin  seeds when they crackle, add  dried red chili, and green chili.

6. Next throw in your finely chopped onions and fry it  for a minute or two.

7. Now add  in dry spices like coriander powder , turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder and salt. Mix everything well and fry.

8. Then Put tomato puree  and  tomato sauce . 

9.  Mix them  well and cook for 5 minutes or until oil separates.

10. Next add the fried vegetable  with Paneer into the gravy and a dash of vinegar or lime juice.

11. Mix every thing gently  till it is well combined and garnish it with  coriander leaves.

Servings - 4 

Total time - 25 minutes