Paneer Jalfrezi – An easy-to-make loved by all vegetarian side dishes. Paneer/cottage cheese is so versatile we can make any number of recipes with it and all come out as winners.
It is especially good for kids who need lots of calcium and protein in their diet. Paneer/ cottage cheese appears a lot on my weekly menu. Sometimes in breakfast, sometimes in lunch, dinner, or in snacks in whatever ways we can have it.
What is Paneer Jalfrezi?
Paneer Jalfrezi is a dry paneer dish. It has Paneer cubes, onions, capsicum, and tomatoes stir-fried and tossed in a flavorful spicy tomato gravy.
Paneer jalfrezi, paneer bhurji are the two most common paneer dishes we make in our kitchen.
My kids don’t need anything else with this. They just make roti wraps and enjoy the goodness of paneer.
When I was a kid I could not eat paneer in any form. My mom used to make awesome paneer dishes and she would have to make a separate dish for me. Just before I got married my mother started making paneer with capsicum. I think you all know of my capsicum love by now.
The smell of capsicum and paneer cooking together worked its magic and I fell in love with paneer. We can call it fates intervention also because my family loves paneer and I have to eat and cook lots of paneer dishes now.
Just for the record I still can not eat Paneer pakora. Rest all paneer dishes I love.
Come to think of it If I had tasted Paneer Tikka in those days my aversion for paneer might have been cured quite fast;-)
what goes with Paneer Jalfrezi?
This goes really well with roti, parantha, naan, or rice. you can make it as a side dish or if you are not in the mood of making elaborate dinner just make this paneer jalfrezi and enjoy it with roti. No need of making any other dish.
No Onion No Garlic Paneer Jalfrezi
I do not add garlic to this recipe. To make it without Onion, remove Onions from the recipe and follow the rest of the recipe exactly the same.
Step by Step photos to make Paneer Jalfrezi
Heat oil in a thick bottomed pan/ kadhai. Saute onions for 2-3 minutes.
Add capsicum and cook again on high flame for 2-3 minutes. Switch off the flame and keep sauteed onions and capsicum aside. We are going to use the leftover oil in the kadhai for the rest of the cooking.
Heat oil. Add chopped onion and green chilies and cook for 2-3 minutes. when onions become transparent add salt, red chili powder, and turmeric powder.
Mix the spices and cook for 30 seconds on low flame. Add tomato puree and cook for 5-7 minutes.
When the gravy thickens and starts leaving the sides of the kadhai it is ready.
Crush Kasoori methi in your hand and add to the tomato-onion mixture. Add garam masala and chaat masala.
If tomato gravy seems too thick add 1 tbsp of water otherwise it will not coat the paneer pieces properly. Add sauteed onions, capsicum, and paneer cubes.
Mix it with a light hand and cook for 2 minutes for all the spices to blend in.
Sprinkle chopped fresh coriander leaves.
Serve hot with roti, paratha, naan, or rice.
Paneer Jalfrezi
Equipment
Ingredients
- 250 grams paneer/ cottage cheese cut into cubes
- 2 tbsp oil or ghee
- 1 small capsicum cut into thick pieces
- 2 onions cut into thick pieces
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 tomatoes pureed
- 1 green chili chopped
- salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp kasoori methi/ fenugreek leaves
- 1/4 tsp garam masala
- 1/4 tsp chaat masala you can add amchoor in its place
- 1 tbsp freshly chopped coriander leaves
Instructions
TO MAKE PANEER JALFREZI
- Heat oil in a thick bottomed pan/ kadhai. Saute onions for 2-3 minutes.
- Add capsicum and cook again on high flame for 2-3 minutes. Switch off the flame and keep sauteed onions and capsicum aside. We are going to use the leftover oil in the kadhai for the rest of the cooking.
- Heat oil. Add chopped onion and green chilies and cook for 2-3 minutes. when onions become transparent add salt, red chili powder, and turmeric powder.
- Mix the spices and cook for 30 seconds on low flame. Add tomato puree and cook for 5-7 minutes.
- When the gravy thickens and starts leaving the sides of the kadhai it is ready.
- Crush kasoori methi in your hand and add to the tomato-onion mixture. Add garam masala and chaat masala.
- If tomato gravy seems too thick add 1 tbsp of water otherwise it will not coat the paneer pieces properly. Add sauteed onions, capsicum and paneer cubes.
- Mix it with a light hand and cook for 2 minutes for all the spices to blend in.
Garnish
- Sprinkle chopped fresh coriander leaves.
Serve with
- Serve hot with roti, paratha, naan or rice.
Notes
2. My kids love chaat masala. If you want you can add amchoor in its place. Its quantity will depend on the sourness of tomatoes.
Other recipes you might like
Paneer Butter Masala
Malai Kofta
Indian Vegetarian Lunch Ideas
When you make this Paneer jalfrezi recipe don’t forget to tag @whatscookingmom on Instagram and Facebook or use this hashtag #whatscookingmom
You can share your pics with us on email also (whatscookingmom@gmail.com)
Love the recipe
Thanks, Ramya 🙂
That paneer looks so tempting
Thank you. This dish is a must-try.
Loved this recipe
Thanks a lot, Anu 🙂
Looks Awesome.. I’ll try for sure..
Thanks Devika 🙂
Lovely paneer jalfrezi 🙂 Love the pics and the cute kadai!!
THankyou so much Sundari. Kadai is cute na 🙂