Nigerian Jollof Rice is one of the popular food eaten in parties in Nigeria, it’s mostly families favorite at home too. I don’t know of anyone that doesn’t like jollof rice, it is people’s favorite and crowd-pleasing. It tastes so good so no surprise everyone loves Nigerian jollof rice.
Jollof rice is popular in West African countries but the method of preparing it is different and definitely there’s different in the taste too. Each country has different names for it too. Jollof Rice can be prepared with long grain rice, basmati or any type of rice of your choice, and it can be eaten with any sides and protein of your choice.
I like a day old jollof rice the flavor and the aroma seems to be absorbed by the rice and make it taste better. Try this recipe for your recipe dish for Christmas and you will be glad you did. Nigerian jollof rice is the real deal!
When you want to make this jollof rice, you need to use quality rice, make sure the stock you’re going to use is well seasoned, fry your pepper base very well and allow the rice to burn to have the smokey flavor.
You might want to try;
- 4 Cups Long Grain Rice (you can use any brand of your choice)
- 2 Red Bell Pepper
- 2 Habanero/Rodo (you can use more or less)
- 2 Onions
- 3 Tomatoes (Divided)
- 6 Ounce Tomato Paste (170 g)
- 2 Teaspoons Minced/Grated Ginger
- 2.5 Cups Chicken Stock/water (use your choice)
- 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil (your choice)
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 2 Teaspoons White pepper (divided)
- 1 Tablespoon Curry powder
- 1 Tablespoon Thyme
- Seasoning Cubes/powder
- 1 Teaspoon Onion powder
- Salt
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Remove the pepper stalks and deseed the red bell pepper (tatashe), blend 2 red bell peppers, 2 rodo, 2 tomatoes and half of the onion until smooth.
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Pour the blended pepper mixture into a saucepan or pot and boil over a medium heat until the pepper reduces and the water dries.
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In a large saucepan or pot, add vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat, let the oil get hot and add sliced onion and fry.
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Add half of the ginger, half of the white pepper, curry powder and thyme and fry until the onion is softened and the seasonings release their flavors.
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Add tomato paste and fry until you can't taste its sour taste. Stir continuously so it doesn't burn.
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Add the boiled pepper mixture, stir and fry until you can see the traces of the oil floating.
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While the pepper is frying, wash rice until the water runs clear. If you like to parboil your rice parboil to al dente (firm to the bite). If you're not parboiling wash and set aside.
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When the pepper has fried add bay leaves and the washed or parboiled rice. This step could be done in two ways; add stock or water first before rice and bring to a boil or add rice then the stock/water.
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Combine thoroughly.
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Add the chicken stock or water enough to cover the rice. Depending on the type of rice you're using you might need to add more or less water to the rice mixture while cooking (I used 2.5 measuring cups), or if you're not sure just make sure the rice is covered with liquid. Add seasoning cube and salt.
If you're using chicken stock be gentle with the seasoning so you don't over seasoning the rice, also if you're using water you need to use your seasoning just right.
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Cover with foil to trap in the steam (you need mostly steam to cook jollof rice and not the liquid) then cover with the pot cover and cook. (Mine took 25 minutes in total on low heat)
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In the final two minutes add butter, sliced onions, sliced tomatoes the remaining white pepper, and ginger. If it is not soft enough add a little bit of stock or water.
Check for the seasoning, readjust it needs more.
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Combine thoroughly, cover and continue cooking. You might notice the rice is burning, it's not a problem you want it to burn a little to give the smoky flavor.
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When it's done, combine again but be careful not to scrap the burnt part with the rice. Turn off the heat and let it simmer on the residual heat.
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Serve
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Enjoy
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Nice one
Thank you for stopping by, Omotayo
appetizing
This looks delicious!
Thank you for stopping by.
This was awesome
Thank you.
Thank you for stopping by.