Prawn Jalfrezi: A Recipe From The Era Of British Empire

Jalfrezi comes from the Bengal, ‘jai’, which means ‘spicy’ and ‘frezi’ means ‘fry’. Combined, it means to fry prawns in a spicy gravy on a low flame in dry or semi-gravy. The pepper, onion, and tomato are quickly stir-fried with the king prawns and cooked down to create a spicy and tangy taste.

How Jalfrezi came to India?

When Britishers came to India, they carried the cold meat along with them. That time jalfrezi was made only with onions, chillies, and hard fried meat. This recipe is even written in the Anglo-Indian cookery books. The jalfrezi is made with vegetables, thick gravy and paneer, tofu, chicken, and fish. Jalfrezi's delectable recipe is famous in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Scroll down to know how to make prawn jalfrezi at home.

Ingredients:

  • 500 grams clean tiger prawns 
  • ½ cup oil + Butter 
  • 4-5 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds 
  • 3 tbsp honey 
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder 
  • 1 tsp coriander powder 
  • 1 tsp garam masala 
  • 1-inch ginger (finely chopped)
  • 3 medium-size onion (finely chopped)
  • Bell peppers (red/ green/ yellow, finely chopped)
  • 3-4 tomatoes (chopped)
  • Chilli flakes, as required
  • Salt, as per taste 
  • A handful of coriander leaves (for garnishing) 

How To Make Prawns Jalfrezi?

  1. Heat oil in a non-stick pan. Slip cleaned tiger prawns in it. Don’t overcook the prawns; once they are fried, take them out and transfer them to the plate. 
  2. Now in the same pan, heat more oil plus butter in it. Add cumin seeds and crackle them a while, add chopped garlic and ginger, saute a bit, now add chopped onions after some times add peppers if you’re using. 
  3. After some time, add tomatoes and dry spices, add chilli flakes, turmeric, garam masala, coriander powder, and salt into the pan. Stir well and saute on a medium flame. 
  4. Now add honey along with some water to the pan. 
  5. Once the gravy is cooked, slip fried prawns carefully into it and cover the lid again. Bring it to a boil minimum for 5-7 minutes over a low flame till the prawns and gravy completely thicken up and cook. 
  6. Remove the lid; once it is done, turn the flame off. 
  7. Transfer the prawns and gravy to a bowl and garnish it with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

Your Prawn Jalfrezi is ready; serve hot with steamed rice or flatbread.

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