Paneer Jalfrezi Recipe

Here’s a flavorful recipe for Paneer Jalfrezi, a quick and delicious Indian stir-fry dish with vegetables and cottage cheese in a tangy, spiced tomato sauce.

Ingredients

For the Jalfrezi:

• 200g paneer (cut into strips or cubes)
• 1 medium onion (thinly sliced)
• 1 medium green bell pepper (capsicum, thinly sliced)
• 1 medium red or yellow bell pepper (optional, thinly sliced)
• 1 medium carrot (thinly sliced into sticks)
• 2 medium tomatoes (cut into wedges)
• 2 tablespoons oil

For the Sauce:

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
• 2 medium tomatoes (finely chopped or pureed)
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• ½ teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves, optional)
• Salt, to taste
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

For Garnish:

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander leaves
• Lemon wedges

Instructions

1. Prepare the Vegetables and Paneer

• Cut all vegetables and paneer into strips or cubes for uniform cooking.
• Optionally, lightly pan-fry the paneer pieces in a tablespoon of oil until golden and set aside.

2. Cook the Base Sauce

• Heat oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat.
• Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
• Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for 30 seconds until aromatic.
• Add the pureed or finely chopped tomatoes, turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Cook until the oil separates from the tomato mixture (about 5-7 minutes).

3. Cook the Vegetables

• Add the sliced onions, bell peppers, and carrots to the sauce.
• Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes to keep the vegetables slightly crunchy.

4. Add the Paneer

• Gently fold in the paneer strips and tomato wedges.
• Sprinkle garam masala and kasuri methi. Mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the paneer to absorb the flavors.

5. Finish and Serve

• Adjust seasoning with salt and sugar, if needed.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
• Serve hot with naan, roti, paratha, or steamed rice.

Enjoy this tangy, mildly spiced, and colorful Paneer Jalfrezi! It’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a special occasion.

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