Jollof Rice

Cuisine: Unknown

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Serves: 3

Stewed and spiced in a delectable tomato broth, a good, quick Jollof rice recipe is “everything” in West Africa. Though the recipe varies slightly in different parts here, the key ingredients remain the same for a magical fragrant Jollof rice – tomato stew, seasoning and rice.

40 ml cooking oil (Do not use olive oil)
3 medium-sized tomatoes (Roma/ plum)
1½ medium-sized red onions
¼ Scotch bonnet/ Caribbean red chilli pepper
3 red poblano peppers
4 tsp. tomato paste
1 bay leaf
½ tsp. dried thyme
3 cups water/ stock (vegetable/ chicken/ beef)
1 tsp. butter
Salt (as per taste)
2 cups basmati/ long-grain rice (uncooked and rinsed)
A pinch of black pepper

How to make Jollof rice with its unique sweetness and precise spiciness

Add tomatoes, one onion, Scotch bonnet, red poblano, and one cup of stock in a blender. Blend well. Make a smooth paste. You will get approximately 3 cups of mix.
Pour the blended mix into a large pot. Bring to a boil. Lower the flame. Cook for 10 minutes.
Thinly slice ½ onion.
Put oil on a large pan and heat it. Add sliced onions to the hot oil. Sprinkle salt and sauté for 2 minutes. Add bay leaves, thyme, a pinch of black pepper and curry powder. Cook for 4 minutes. Add tomato paste. Stir regularly. Cook for 2 more minutes.
Turn the flame to medium heat. Add the cooked and reduced tomato and pepper paste. Place the lid on the pan. Cook for 10 minutes.
Add 2 cups of stock/water. Bring to a boil.
Add butter and rice. Mix thoroughly. Cover the pan with foil paper. Put the lid on. Lower the flame. Cook for 30 minutes.
Jollof rice is ready to serve!

Chef Tip: To control the hotness of Jollof, you can adjust the quantity of Scotch bonnet and poblano used in the recipe. For a smokier and earthier flavour, use both white and black pepper powder.

To serve a special Party Rice, get a bowl of smokey and spicy Jollof Rice cooked over an open fire with immeasurable goodness. Write to us and let us know how you added your own flavours to this wonderful dish.

Quick Bites

Fun Fact

• Jollof rice has dance done in honor of the great cuisine.

• A good Jollof rice should have enough tomatoes. It is the ingredient that gives the meal its yummy red color.

Historical Fact

• Though Nigerians and Ghanaians claim jollof rice was originally originated by them but historians trace the delicacy to the Senegambian region that was ruled by the Jolof Empire.

• Originally the dish was a fish-based recipe. But now, it’s more accepted as a chicken garnished delicacy.

Nutrition Fact

• The dish contains tomatoes, peppers, and onions which help in preventing cancer, reduce inflammation and heal infections and also contains lots of vitamins.

• The Jollof rice is a well-known source of energy and fiber.