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Veg Jalfrezi Recipe | Semi Dry Veg Jalfrezi Curry | Kunal Kapur Mix Veg Stir Fry Recipe

Chef Kunal Kapur Paneer & Dairy 40 Mins 4 Servings 150.2K views Aug 23, 2022
Jhalfrezi or Jalfrezi (Jhal means 'spicy' Frezi is 'Stir Fry') is one recipe you'll find on every menu in India! This dish is versatile and can be made out of seasonal vegetables. Try this and add new flavours to your daily meals just like that! Watch the recipe and let me know from which different vegetables you'd like to make it! Veg Jalfrezi

Ingredients & Measurements

Carefully curated and proportioned for authentic flavor balance. Adjust chillies and salt to your personal taste.

Main Ingredients

  • Ghee (घी) - 2 tbsp
  • Cumin (जीरा) - 2 tsp
  • Onion, Chopped (प्याज़) - ½ Cup
  • Ginger, Chopped (अदरक) - 1 tbsp
  • Garlic, Chopped (लहसुन) - 1 tbsp
  • Green Chillies, Slit and Deseeded (हरी मिर्च) - 3 no
  • Tomatoes, Chopped (कटा हुआ टमाटर) - 1 cup
  • Tomatoes, Fresh Puree (टमाटर प्यूरी) - ½ Cup
  • Salt (नमक) - To Taste
  • Turmeric Powder (हल्दी पाउडर) - ½ tsp
  • Kashmiri Chilli Powder (कश्मीरी मिर्च पाउडर) - ½ tbsp
  • Coriander Powder (धनिया पाउडर) - ½ tbsp
  • Cumin Powder (जीरा पाउडर) - 1 tsp
  • Garam Masala Powder, (गरम मसाला) - 1 tsp
  • Gobi, Florets (फूलगोभी) - ½ cup
  • Green Beans, Sliced (फ्रेंच बीन्स) - ½ cup
  • Carrots, Julienne (गाजर) - ½ cup
  • Cabbage, Sliced (पत्ता गोभी) - 1 cup
  • Green Capsicum, Julienne (हरी शिमला मिर्च) - ¼ cup
  • Yellow Capsicum, Julienne (पीली शिमला मिर्च) - ¼ cup
  • Red Capsicum, Julienne (लाल शिमला मिर्च) - ¼ cup
  • Coriander, Chopped (धनिया) - A Handful
  • Paneer, Fingers (पनीर) - 100 gm
  • Green Chillies, Slit (हरी मिर्च) - 2 no
  • Onion, Sliced (प्याज) - ¼ cup
  • Lemon Juice (नींबू का रस) - ½ tbsp
  • Salt (नमक) - To Taste

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

  1. 1
    - To make Jhaal (spicy) frezi (stir-fry), we start with heating our kadhai and melting ghee. Add in cumin and roast it then adds in chopped onions and stirs fry over high heat till for a few seconds.
  2. 2
    - Now we add finely chopped ginger and garlic and stir fry on high heat for a few more seconds. Now, we add slit and deseeded green chillies along with chopped and pureed tomatoes to give them a tangy taste.
  3. 3
    - For dry spices, we add turmeric, chilly red powder, coriander powder, cumin powder and garam masala which are optional and give a nice stir. Now we cook it on a medium-high flame to eliminate the rawness of tomatoes and mellow it down.
  4. 4
    - For veggies, we start with cauliflower as it takes a longer time to cook. After cooking it for around one to one and a half minutes we add our other veggies - beans, carrots, and cabbage with a sprinkle of water to prevent our veggies from sticking or burning on the high heat.
  5. 5
    - We collect our veggies in the centre of our utensils and cover it with a lid and let it cook on low heat to tenderise vegetables and cook them to semi-dry.
  6. 6
    - On high heat, we add all 3 types of capsicums, paneer fingers, coriander, slit chillies, sliced onions, lemon for sharpness, and salt to taste and gently toss it by lifting and dropping it with a spatula.
  7. 7
    Once done, transfer to a platter and garnish it with fresh coriander leaves and preferably serve it with paratha/phulka/Roti.
  8. 8
    Jhalfrezi Written Recipe - https://www.chefkunalkapur.com/recipe/veg-jalfrezi-paneer-jhalfrezi/

Chef Kunal's Pro Secret Tip

Always soak fresh paneer cubes in warm, lightly salted water for 10 minutes before cooking. If pan-frying paneer, do so for no more than 60–90 seconds per side on medium-high heat to preserve its velvety, melt-in-the-mouth texture and prevent rubberiness.

Recipe FAQs & Expert Advice

How long can I store leftover Veg Jalfrezi Recipe?

You can store leftovers in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. When reheating, warm on medium-low heat on the stovetop and add 2–3 tablespoons of warm water if the gravy has thickened in the fridge.

Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute paneer with extra-firm pressed tofu or roasted plant-based paneer alternatives. Replace dairy butter/ghee with mustard oil, coconut oil, or refined groundnut oil.

What is the key technique to get restaurant-style flavor in this dish?

Focus on blooming whole spices in hot oil first, patiently sautéing the onion-tomato masala until oil separates, and finishing with a pinch of crushed roasted kasoori methi and freshly ground garam masala right before serving.