Jalfrezi....

Vegetable jalfrezi is a dry, tangy ,mildly flavoured curry which is quite versatile. Its colourful appearance makes it appealing too.

You can really combine your own choice of vegetables to give it a signature.... for the vegan version you may substitute the paneer/cottage cheese with tofu....
There is no restriction on the variety you use either... mushroom, sweet corn, cauliflower, bell peppers of different coulours ... take your pick.

I like to slightly under cook the veggies to add that mild crunch....

VEGETABLE JALFREZI                                                      Serves 6 - 8

Ingredients

French beans, Carrot, Baby Corn – 1cup each (cut into long pieces)        

Peas – 1 cup

Bell peppers (long pieces) – ½ cup

Onion – 1 large (sliced)

Paneer/ cottage cheese - ¾ cup (diced)

Tomato puree – 3tbsp

Chopped green chillies – as per taste

Ginger (grated) – 1 tsp

Garlic – 2 cloves chopped finely

Coriander pdr – 1 tsp

Cumin pdr – ½ tsp

Whole cumin – ½ tsp

Garam masala pdr – ½ tsp

Chaat masala – ½ tsp

Haldi/Turmeric – a pinch

Tomato ketchup – 1tblsp

Vinegar – 1 tblsp

Vegetable oil – 2 tblsp

Salt – to taste

Fresh coriander leaves – for garnish

Method

1. Parboil / Steam the carrot, beans, peas and baby corn and keep aside. Remember not to cook them through.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add the whole cumin. Reduce the heat to medium.
3. Add the onions and stir fry them till translucent.
4. Add the tomato puree followed by the chopped chillies, ginger and garlic. Cook for a few seconds before adding the pdr coriander, cumin, garam masala and haldi. Sprinkle a little water and cook till oil seperates.
5. Now add the bell peppers and tomato ketchup and cook for a minute. Add the steamed veggies season with salt and cook stirring constantly.
6. Once the vegetables are combined thoroughly, add the paneer pieces. Sprinkle chaat masala and mix lightly. Cover for a minute.
7. Finally add the vinegar and combine it. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with chapatti, tortilla or paratha.

Note: It is a good idea to pack a jalfrezi chapati / tortilla roll in the lunch box.

© Rinki’s Kitchen