published Apr 25, 2022 I love trying my hand at Asian-inspired cuisine! Recipes that come out of China, Japan, Mongolia, and India hold a special place in my heart. They usually include tons of veggies, protein, and (of course) delicious spices and aromas that make my heart sing. I’m not exaggerating – I seriously love these types of dishes! Today I want to introduce you to this vegetable Jalfrezi recipe. Jalfrezi, sometimes called jhal frezi or jaffrezi, is a traditional Bengali dish that’s popular across India. In English, Jalfrezi means “hot fry.” It makes sense, seeing as though the dish is prepared by frying in a wok or frying pan. The dish usually includes meat or fish and vegetables that have been stir-fried with a spicy sauce made from green chilis. My recipe is vegetarian and can be made vegan-friendly when you opt for vegetable oil instead of ghee. It takes less than 30-minutes to prepare from start to finish. It’s a great option for a weeknight dinner and will set you up for some seriously delicious leftovers for lunch – if you don’t scarf it all down in one sitting!
INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Cauliflower – The cauliflower florets serve as the base for my vegetable stir fry. Ghee or Oil – You’ll need to use ghee or oil to fry up this dish. If you’re vegan, opt for vegetable oil. You can use your preference – I personally prefer using canola. Red Onion & Garlic – To add even more flavor to your vegetable stir fry! Serrano Green Chili – I already mentioned that the base of the Jalfrezi sauce is made from green chilis. You’ll need one that’s been seeded and diced for this recipe.Ginger – You can remove the skin using a spoon. Then, cut it into strips and dice.Tomato Sauce or Passata – This is also used to make your dish saucy. If using passata (tomato puree), add in a teaspoon of sugar to balance out the acidity. Green & Red Bell Peppers – To pack your vegetable Jalfrezi with even more fresh goodness!Plum Roma Tomatoes – You thought the added vegetables were done?! Nope! The tomatoes complement the rest of the ingredients nicely and add more flavor to the sauce.Baby Corn – Last but not least on the veggie front is baby corn. Again, it adds a bit more sweetness to an otherwise spicy dish.Paneer – For just a touch of cheesiness.Spices – Like most Indian-inspired dishes, this vegetable stir fry calls for many herbs and spices:Cumin SeedsKosher SaltRed Chili PowderGaram Masala – Make it yourself using my recipe!TurmericGround NutmegGround CardamomDried Fenugreek Leaves – Can be replaced with mustard greens if you can’t find it at the supermarket.
HOW TO MAKE VEGETABLE JALFREZI STIR FRY
What Does a Jalfrezi Taste Like?
With all this talk about vegetable Jalfrezi, you may be wondering what this dish actually tastes like! Thanks to the tomato sauce and veggies, it has a distinct garden fresh flavor. The herbs and seasonings add a lot to the dish, and there are hints of curry (thanks to the Garam Masala — there’s no actual curry in it) and spice. It is a bit on the spicy side, just so that you’re aware!
What’s the Difference Between Madras and Jalfrezi?
Not all Indian dishes are created equal, although Jalfrezi is often compared to another specialty called Madras. Typically, vegetable Jalfrezi is less spicy than Madras and features more fresh vegetables. Madras is also a stir-fried dish, is quite hot, and boasts stronger cumin, fenugreek, and cilantro flavor.
What is Jalfrezi Made Of?
As mentioned, Jalfrezi is typically made with meat or fish and fresh vegetables. It’s sometimes confused with curry, but it is less like a soup. Because it’s stir-fried instead of braised, it’s considered drier than traditional Indian curry dishes. You’ll often find recipes for chicken Jalfrezi. My vegetable stir fry version is vegetarian-friendly and can even be made vegan if you use vegetable oil instead of ghee.
