Close your eyes and imagine the sizzle of cumin seeds in hot oil, the rich aroma of sautéed onions and garlic filling your kitchen. This Vegan Tofu Jalfrezi is a vibrant, flavour-packed dish that brings the authentic taste of Vegan Indian cuisine to your home. Perfect for both seasoned chefs and beginners, this Indian vegan recipe is a celebration of bold spices and fresh vegetables, creating a satisfying and wholesome vegan meal. With tofu as the star, this vegan dish effortlessly blends into any collection of Vegan recipes and lacto vegetarian recipes, offering a nutritious, protein-rich and cruelty free vegan alternative to the traditional chicken jalfrezi.
Recipe:
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Ingredients:
400g firm tofu, drained and cubed
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch piece of ginger, grated
2 large tomatoes, pureed
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 green chilies, sliced
Salt, to taste
Fresh coriander, chopped (for garnish)
Method:
Begin by pressing the tofu to remove excess moisture. Wrap the tofu in a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy object on top for about 15 minutes. Once pressed, cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes and set them aside.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and wait for them to sizzle and pop, releasing their aromatic oils. This is your foundation of flavour.
Add the thinly sliced onions to the pan and sauté them until they turn a deep golden brown. This caramelization process enhances the sweetness of the onions, balancing the heat of the spices. Next, stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking until fragrant—about 2 minutes.
Pour in the pureed tomatoes, stirring them into the onion mixture. Cook this down until the oil begins to separate from the tomato base, creating a rich masala. This step is key to developing the deep, complex flavours that define a good jalfrezi.
Incorporate the ground coriander, ground cumin, turmeric, and garam masala into the tomato mixture. Cook the spices for 3-4 minutes, allowing them to bloom and infuse the masala with their warmth and depth.
Toss in the chopped red and green bell peppers along with the sliced green chilies. Stir everything together and let the peppers cook for 5-7 minutes. They should soften slightly but retain a bit of crunch, adding texture to the dish.
Gently fold in the tofu cubes, ensuring they are evenly coated with the spiced masala. Allow the tofu to simmer in the sauce for about 5 minutes, soaking up all the wonderful flavors.
Adjust the seasoning with salt to taste. Garnish generously with freshly chopped coriander before serving.
Additional Tips:
For a deeper flavor, marinate the tofu in a mixture of lemon juice, turmeric, and garam masala for 30 minutes before cooking.
If you prefer a crispy texture, pan-fry the tofu until golden brown before adding it to the jalfrezi.
Serve this dish with warm naan, basmati rice, or even quinoa for a healthy twist.
Allergy information / alternatives:
To make this dish gluten-free, verify that all spices and condiments used are gluten-free. If soy is an issue, you can substitute tofu with chickpeas.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 320 kcal
Protein: 15g
Fat: 16g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fibre: 6g
Sugar: 8g
Salt: 1.8g
Note: The nutritional information provided is approximate and may vary based on the specific ingredients used and their proportions.
Copyright
We appreciate your interest in sharing our content! All images and text on this website are the property of Plantiful Palate. You are welcome to share photos and quotes with a credit and link back to the original post on our site. Please refrain from sharing entire recipes, extensive text, or modifying our images without prior permission from us. Shares on social media platforms are always encouraged and appreciated. Thank you for respecting our copyright policies.
Disclaimer
**This post includes Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links in this post, with no extra cost to you.
Comments