Jollof Rice is a rich and incredibly tasty west African one-pot Meal. This meal is one of the most common West African dishes. However, each of these countries has its variation of this meal.
Regional variations are a source of competition among the countries of West Africa, and in particular between Nigeria and Ghana, over whose version is the best; in the 2010s this developed into a friendly rivalry known as the “Jollof Wars”.
Nigerian Jollof Rice (Spicy West African Rice) | Food Wishes
Ingredients
For the sauce
3 red bell pepper
3 Plum tomatoes
1 medium onion
2 scotch bonnet/habanero use less if you don’t like it spicy
1/4 cup water
For the Jollof
1/2 cup oil
1 medium onion sliced
4 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cloves garlic finely minced
1 tablespoon ginger grated
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon thyme
1 tablespoon curry Powder
1 teaspoons salt or add to taste
white Pepper or black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder or 3 cubes
4 cups long grain rice rinsed and drained
3-4 cups chicken stock
1 large tomato sliced
1 medium onion sliced
2 tablespoons butter at room temperature – optional
Instructions
First, make the tomato-based sauce by blending together the red bell peppers (pimento), tomatoes, onion, and scotch bonnet.
Heat the cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat, then add the diced onions and let them cook for about 3 minutes or until they are soft.
Next, add the tomato paste and fry for about 5 minutes. Then stir in garlic, ginger, and bay leaves—leave to cook for 2 more minutes.
Add the blended sauce and allow the pepper to cook until the water is reduced and the sauce become thick —about 10 to 15 minutes.
Season with thyme, curry powder, bouillon cubes, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook for another 2 to 5 minutes.
Add the rinsed rice to the sauce and stir until it is well coated with the sauce. Then add the chicken stock, stir briefly, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and bring to a quick boil over high heat.
Once it begins to boil—after about 3 to 5 minutes, reduce the heat immediately to low and steam until the rice is done—about 30 minutes.
Add the butter, sliced tomato, and onions, stir together briefly and turn off the heat. Cover it immediately so that the heat remaining in the rice can steam up the vegetables a little.
Serve with sweet fried plantains, roasted chicken, or salad.
