To all the spice lovers out there, this one’s for you!
In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about paneer jalfrezi vs kadai paneer. We will discuss the difference, the similarities – and even the best way to preserve these mouth-watering Indian curries.
Ready to find out more? Let’s get started.
The Similarities Between Paneer Jalfrezi vs Kadai Paneer
First of all, let’s take a look at how similar these dishes are to one another.
Texture
Both curries are thick and chunky in consistency. This alone is one good reason why people find them so frustratingly irresistible!
The creamy cubes of paneer together with chopped juicy capsicums make these delightful dishes a global favorite.
Colour
If a bowl of each was placed in front of you, it would be hard to tell the difference just by looking. Both appear red or orange in color due to the fresh tomatoes and vibrant spices used.
Smell
In fact, we would even go as far as saying they smell pretty much the same! You’ll soon feel hungry when the scent of fried onions, garlic, tomatoes, and green bell pepper hits the air!
To find out the similarities between kadai paneer vs tikka masala, click here.
The Differences Between Paneer Jalfrezi vs Kadai Paneer
Cooking process
The most notable difference is the way the paneer is cooked. Any paneer jalfrezi recipe will tell the reader to fry off cubes of paneer until they are golden brown. Then they are left to one side before being added to the other ingredients at the end.
On the other hand, a typical kadai paneer recipe will tell the reader to add ‘raw’ paneer to the base. – which is apparent in many other paneer recipes. We’ll go into more detail about paneer further down.
Nutrition Table
So, how healthy (or unhealthy) are these popular Indian dishes? Take a look at the table below to find out!
| Per Serving. | Paneer Jalfrezi | Kadai Paneer |
| Calories | 449 kcals | 371 kcals |
| Total Fat | 19g | 26g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 18g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7g | 0.4g |
| Cholesterol | 50mg | 15mg |
| Potassium | 781mg | 255mg |
| Sodium | 1212mg | 50mg |
| Protein | 18g | 21g |
| Carbohydrates | 25g | 12g |
Paneer Jalfrezi vs Kadai Paneer: The History
Kadai Paneer
This north Indian dish is known for its versatility and undeniably delicious aroma. You can just about add any veggie to this curry, and it will always taste great!
A true kadai paneer is cooked in a kadai which is a traditional Indian cooking pot. It is similar to a Chinese wok but much deeper in height. Historically, they were built using cast iron. However, these days, they are created using aluminum, copper, and stainless steel.
This popular dish is often ordered as a side dish and can be ordered as a ‘dry’ dish or with a gravy base. Kadai paneers are usually enjoyed with Indian flatbreads such as garlic naan or plain roti.
Check out this piece on the difference between kadai vs shahi paneer!
Paneer Jalfrezi
This traditional curry dish originates from Bengal and is immensely popular throughout the Indian subcontinent. It is known for its succulent, tangy taste and spicy flavor.
Often served with basmati rice, jeera rice, roti, or naan, paneer jalfrezi is a highly recommended item on any Indian restaurant menu.
Jalfrezi curries are extremely diverse and taste great with any type of meat or vegetable. Keep reading to find out how to make your very own baby corn jalfrezi!
Check out this video if you want to prepare restaurant-style paneer jalfrezi from the comfort of your own home.
Spice Is Always Nice!
The key factor to all Indian curries is the spice factor. Without it, they wouldn’t be half as enjoyable. Adding spice to the mix doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be so ridiculously hot that you can’t enjoy your food.
Experimenting with spices is a great way to give a meal an added kick. Don’t be afraid to let your children have a little taste test either (obviously nothing too hot!). Kids love to help out at meal times!
Let’s take a look at the spices used in paneer jalfrezi and kadai paneer.
| Paneer Jalfrezi | Kadai Paneer |
| Turmeric powder | Turmeric Powder |
| Cumin seeds | Kashmiri red chili powder |
| Paprika | Paprika |
| Coriander powder | Garam masala |
| Red chili flakes | Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) |
As you can see, the spice combination is slightly different for each dish which gives them such a unique flavor.
What Is Paneer?
Paneer is a type of cheese that people often compare to cottage cheese. It is a fantastic addition to any vegetarian dish and is made from cow or buffalo milk. This fresh-acid set cheese is made using curdled milk with the addition of a vegetable or fruit-derived acid (such as lemon juice).
Paneer is normally added to sauces in its raw form as the heat from the liquid is enough to cook it through quickly. However, many prefer to fry cubes of it to crisp them up before adding it to the dish.
Malai paneer vs paneer, which is better? Take a look and see!
Different types of Jalfrezi
As we briefly mentioned above, a Jalfrezi curry is hugely diverse, and you can add your favorite meat, vegetable, or fish. Here is a small selection of our jalfrezi recommendations.
- Vegetable jalfrezi
- Chicken jalfrezi
- Prawn jalfrezi
Baby Corn Jalfrezi Recipe
As promised earlier, here is a super-quick jalfrezi recipe with the addition of baby corn.
Ingredients
- 12 pieces of baby corn
- 1 green capsicum
- 1 onion
- 2 large tomatoes
- 4-5 garlic cloves
- 2″ piece of ginger
- Salt (pinch)
- Sugar (pinch)
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
Spices
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1/2 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
Method
Par-boil the baby corn for 3 minutes. Alternatively, you can add to a microwave-safe bowl and cover slightly with water before microwaving for around 5 minutes.
- Heat the oil in a pan before adding finely diced garlic and ginger. Fry for 1 minute before adding chopped onions.
- Once the onions become translucent in color, add the chopped tomatoes and fry until soft.
- Add the spices along with the sugar and salt. Cook for 3-4 minutes on medium heat.
- Next, add sliced or chopped capsicum and allow to simmer for 1 minute. Then add the boiled baby corn and fry for another 4-5 minutes. If the curry seems dry, you can add a sprinkling of water. Once your required consistency has been reached, remove from the heat and serve immediately. Enjoy!
