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Vegetarian Low-Carb Halloumi Jalfrezi – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

Vegetarian Low-Carb Halloumi Jalfrezi

An incredible vegetarian and low-carb take on Jalfrezi, the beloved Indian takeout classic. Chunks of salty halloumi cheese act like little sponges, soaking up every delicious layer of flavor in a rich, fragrant curry sauce that comes together in under an hour.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 serving
Calories: 401

Ingredients
  

  • 1/3 cup (73 g / 2.57 oz) ghee or other healthy cooking fat, divided
  • 1 pound (450 g / 15.9 oz) halloumi cheese, diced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons (10 ml / 0.3 fl oz) whole cumin seeds
  • 1 medium (110 g / 3.9 oz) onion, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-inch piece / 6 g (0.21 oz) ginger, finely chopped
  • 1 small (14 g / 0.49 oz) green chile pepper, sliced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons (10 ml / 0.3 fl oz) ground coriander
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons (10 ml / 0.3 fl oz) garam masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon (10 ml / 0.3 fl oz) turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon (10 ml / 0.3 fl oz) chili powder
  • 3 medium (240 g / 8.5 oz) tomatoes or 1 cup / 240 g (8.5 oz) canned chopped tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) water or vegetable stock
  • 1 medium (120 g / 4.2 oz) red bell pepper, sliced
  • 2 medium (240 g / 8.5 oz) green bell peppers, sliced
  • 1 medium (200 g / 7.1 oz) zucchini, diced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml / 1 fl oz) fresh lemon juice
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish
  • For the best browning, ensure the halloumi pieces are not overcrowded in the pan; cook them in two batches if necessary.
  • Toasting the whole cumin seeds first, and then the ground spices for a minute, is a technique called 'blooming' that deeply enhances their flavor and aroma.
  • Control the heat by removing the seeds from the green chile for a milder flavor, or leave them in for an extra kick.
  • If the sauce becomes too thick while the vegetables are cooking, add an extra splash of water or vegetable stock to reach your desired consistency.

Method
 

  1. Heat half of the ghee in a large skillet or casserole dish over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the diced halloumi and cook until lightly browned on all sides. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the halloumi to a bowl and set aside.
  3. Add the remaining ghee to the pan.
  4. Add the cumin seeds and cook for 30 seconds over medium-high heat until they become fragrant.
  5. Add the sliced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
  6. Stir in the garlic, ginger, and green chile pepper, followed by the ground coriander, garam masala, turmeric, and chili powder.
  7. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
  8. Pour in the tomatoes and vegetable stock, stirring to combine.
  9. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to start thickening.
  10. Add the sliced bell peppers and diced zucchini to the skillet.
  11. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
  12. Return the browned halloumi to the pan and stir to coat.
  13. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  14. Remove from the heat, drizzle with fresh lemon juice, and garnish with cilantro before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 401kcalCarbohydrates: 10.6gProtein: 16.8gFat: 33.1g

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