Kitchen Recipe Collection
Indian Vegetable Jalfrezi
A vibrant, spicy, and tangy stir-fry of mixed vegetables and paneer tossed in a thick tomato sauce with bell peppers.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- easy
- Cuisine
- indian
Ingredients
Scaled for 4 servings
- mixed vegetables (carrots, beans, cauliflower, peas)
- bell peppers (capsicum)
- paneer
- onions
- tomatoes
- ginger-garlic
- green chilies
- ketchup or tomato puree
- cumin
- garam masala
Equipment
- Wide wok (kadai)
Instructions
- 1
Prep Vegetables
Cut carrots, bell peppers, onions, and paneer into long batons (juliennes). Blanch the cauliflower and beans briefly.
- 2
Heat Oil
Heat oil in a wide wok. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle.
- 3
Sauté Aromatics
Add ginger-garlic paste and slit green chilies. Sauté on high heat for 30 seconds.
- 4
Stir-fry Onions
Add the sliced onions and stir-fry vigorously until they are translucent but still crunchy.
- 5
Cook Tomatoes
Add finely chopped tomatoes and cook until they break down entirely into a thick paste.
- 6
Add Spices
Sprinkle turmeric, red chili powder, and coriander powder into the tomato base. Cook until oil separates.
- 7
Toss Vegetables
Add the blanched vegetables (carrots, beans, cauliflower, peas) and mix thoroughly to coat them in the masala.
- 8
Add Bell Peppers
Toss in the bell peppers. Keep the heat high to ensure they retain their bright color and crunch.
- 9
The Jalfrezi Tang
Stir in a couple of tablespoons of tomato puree (or a dash of ketchup) and a tiny splash of vinegar to give it that signature sweet-and-sour tang.
- 10
Add Paneer
Gently fold in the paneer batons so they don't break. Add salt to taste.
- 11
Final Toss
Sprinkle garam masala. Toss everything on high heat for 2-3 minutes until the sauce clings tightly to the veggies.
- 12
Serve
Garnish with fresh coriander and serve piping hot with crispy parathas or naan.
Cooking Tips
- The defining characteristic of a Jalfrezi is the cut of the vegetables—everything must be sliced into long, thin strips.
- High heat is essential. Jalfrezi is more of an Indian-Chinese style stir-fry than a slow-simmered curry.
Variations
- Chicken Jalfrezi: Simply replace the paneer with strips of boneless chicken breast.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- Originally created during the British Raj as a way to use up leftover roasted meats, it is now a restaurant favorite.
Nutrition Estimate
250 calories · 10g protein · 22g carbs · 15g fat · 6g fiber per serving
