Tofu Jalfrezi

My tofu jalfrezi is made with smoky onions and peppers and crispy tofu cubes in a spicy tomato sauce. It is fast and simple to make, and tastes prefer it got here from a restaurant!

Tofu isn’t an ingredient you often see in Indian delicacies, however then once more, conventional Indian meals isn’t usually vegan. Vegetarian, sure, however vegan, not a lot. Luckily, veganizing Indian dishes is often fairly simple, and tofu works fantastically as a substitute for a lot of non-vegan proteins. I do that on a regular basis — simply take a look at my tofu tikka masala, vegan saag paneer, and chilli tofu. You gained’t miss the meat or dairy in any of these dishes. And in case you don’t love tofu, this vegan tofu jalfrezi may simply change your thoughts.

Soar to:

Conventional jalfrezi will be made with every kind of important components — rooster, beef, or paneer. So we’re actually not taking a lot of a liberty by utilizing tofu right here. On this recipe, the tofu is dredged in cornstarch and shallow-fried to create a mouthwatering, crispy coating on the surface. It’s the right distinction to the juicy, spicy tomato sauce that’s important to jalfrezi.

Along with tofu and sauce, this vegan jalfrezi is loaded with smoky peppers and onions, loads of garlic and ginger, and plenty of daring spices. It’s critically flavor-packed! Simply as scrumptious as any takeout I’ve had, however simple to make at dwelling in about half-hour.

Elements You will Want

Under you may discover a checklist of components on this recipe, with notes and substitutions. Scroll all the way in which to the underside of the submit to see the total recipe, together with the quantity of every ingredient.

Vegetable oil. Use any high-heat oil you usually cook dinner with, similar to corn, canola, or peanut oil.
Tofu. I exploit super-firm tofu for this recipe, as a result of it is easy to work with, requires minimal advance prep, and has an incredible texture. Further-firm tofu will even work if that is what’s out there, however you may have to press it first.
Cornstarch.
Bell peppers. We’re utilizing one purple and one inexperienced, which is fairly typical of jalfrezi. If in case you have two greens, two reds, an orange, a yellow, or some mixture, be at liberty to make use of it.
Onion.
Garlic.
Ginger.
Serrano pepper. That is non-compulsory. Solely use it if you would like the dish to be spicy.
Spices. We’re utilizing paprika, coriander, cumin seeds, floor cumin, turmeric, Kashmiri chili powder, and garam masala. You might want to go to an Indian grocery retailer to get the Kashmiri chili powder, or you may substitute cayenne pepper — however scale back the quantity since cayenne is way hotter.
Crushed tomatoes.
Salt.
Cilantro.
Rice. I choose this dish with basmati rice, however use what you want!

How It is Made

Under is an in depth photograph tutorial on easy methods to make this dish. Scroll all the way in which down if you would like to skip proper to the recipe!

Step 1: Warmth the oil. Coat the underside of a skillet very generously with oil. Be certain that it is at the least ⅛ inch deep, in order that once you add the tofu the complete backside half of every dice will likely be submerged.

Tofu cubes in a bowl of cornstarch with a spoon.

Step 2: Dredge the tofu in cornstarch. Place the cornstarch right into a bowl and add tofu cubes. Gently toss them till they’re coated.

Cornstarch-coated tofu cubes frying in a skillet.

Step 3: Fry the tofu. Add the cubes to the new oil and fry them for a couple of minutes on all sides, till crispy. Keep away from letting the items contact one another — they will stick! Put them on a plate once they’re accomplished.

Peppers and onions cooking in a skillet.

Step 4: Prepare dinner the greens. Add extra oil to the skillet if wanted, flip the warmth up a bit, and add the peppers and onions. Prepare dinner them for just some minutes, till they begin to brown and soften.

Garlic, ginger, and spices cooking in a skillet with peppers and onions.

Step 5: Prepare dinner the spices and aromatics. Push the greens to the aspect, then add garlic, ginger, paprika, coriander, cumin seeds, floor cumin, and turmeric. Prepare dinner the combination briefly, stirring the entire time.

Peppers and onions cooking in tomato sauce in a skillet.

Step 6: Simmer. Add the crushed tomatoes and Kashmiri chili powder. Stir the combination nicely and let it simmer for a couple of minutes to thicken the sauce.

Step 7: Add tofu. Return the tofu to the skillet, stir it up and cook dinner it very briefly within the sauce. You are simply heating it again up — an excessive amount of cook dinner time will break down that crispy cornstarch crust.

Tofu Jalfrezi in a skillet with fresh cilantro in the background.

Step 8: End the dish. Take the skillet off of warmth and add some salt. Give the dish a sprinkle with recent cilantro. Carried out!

Bowl of Tofu Jalfrezi with cilantro and a skillet in the background.

Step 9: Serve. Get pleasure from your tofu jalfrezi straight away, whereas the tofu is good and crispy! Serve it with some basmati rice, and in case you’re up for it, attempt whipping up some homemade vegan naan.

Often Requested Questions

How can I scale back the fats content material of this dish?

A lot of the fats comes from the frying oil. Reasonably than dredging the tofu in cornstarch, depart it bare and pan-fry it in a tablespoon of oil utilizing this tofu pan-frying method.

Is that this recipe gluten-free?

It certain is! The recipe, as written, consists of no gluten-containing components.

Is that this recipe spicy?

Sure, however how spicy is completely as much as you. The serrano pepper provides warmth, so be at liberty to skip it in case you choose. The Kashmiri chili powder additionally has a kick. Scale back the quantity for a milder dish, or depart it out utterly for no warmth in any respect.

Extra Vegan Indian Recipes

Like this recipe? In that case, please cease again and depart me a overview and score beneath in case you attempt it! Additionally make sure to comply with me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram, or subscribe to my newsletter for extra recipes like this one!

Recipe

Print
Pin

My tofu jalfrezi is made with smoky onions and peppers and crispy tofu cubes in a spicy tomato sauce. It is fast and simple to make, and tastes prefer it got here from a restaurant!

Prep Time 10

Prepare dinner Time 20

Complete Time 30

Elements

5 tablespoons vegetable oil, or as wanted, divided
1 (16 ounce/454 gram) package deal tremendous agency tofu, minimize into ½-inch cubes
⅓ cup cornstarch, or as wanted
1 medium purple bell pepper, roughly chopped
1 medium inexperienced bell pepper, roughly chopped
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1 serrano pepper (non-compulsory), minced
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon floor coriander
½ teaspoon entire cumin seeds
½ teaspoon floor cumin
½ teaspoon floor turmeric
1 cup crushed tomatoes
½ teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder, or to style (Word 1)
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon salt, or to style
¼ cup chopped recent cilantro
Cooked basmati rice, for serving

Directions

Coat the underside of a medium skillet with about 4 tablespoons of oil. You need a depth of about ⅛ inch. Place the skillet over medium warmth.
Whereas the oil heats up, place the cornstarch right into a bowl and add the tofu cubes. Evenly dredge every tofu dice within the cornstarch.
As soon as the oil begins to shimmer, add the tofu cubes in a good layer. Be certain that to go away a little bit of house between them to stop them from sticking collectively. Prepare dinner the tofu for 4 to five minutes on all sides, till golden brown and crispy. Switch them to a plate when accomplished.
If the skillet is dry, add one other tablespoon of oil (Word 2). Flip the warmth as much as medium-high and provides the oil a minute to warmth up, then add each bell peppers and the onion. Prepare dinner the peppers and onion for about 4 minutes, till the onion begins to melt and brown, and the peppers brighten in colour and start to blister.
Push the peppers and onions to the aspect. Add the garlic, ginger, serrano pepper, paprika, coriander, cumin seed, floor cumin, and turmeric. Prepare dinner the combination for about 30 seconds, stirring consistently, till very aromatic.
Stir within the tomatoes, then the Kashmiri chili powder and let the combination simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring often, till the sauce thickens.
Add the tofu again into the skillet and gently stir till it is coated within the sauce.
Take away the skillet from warmth and add the garam masala, then season the combination with salt to style. Sprinkle with recent cilantro.
Divide onto plates and serve with rice.

Notes

Kashmiri chili powder will add warmth, so depart it out or regulate the quantity if most popular. If Kashmiri chili powder is not out there, you should use cayenne pepper, however take into account that it’s a lot hotter and you’ll most likely wish to scale back the quantity. When you’re not sure how a lot to make use of, maintain off till the dish is sort of completed, then add it to style.
The tofu will most likely have absorbed the entire oil. If there may be some left, regulate the quantity of oil you add at this level. You will want a couple of tablespoon to cook dinner the peppers and onions. The quantity does not have to be exact — you’ll be able to eyeball it.
Diet data doesn’t embody rice.