For our newbies, the KFB foodie talk column is basically for ladies and ‘guys’
that are interested in learning how to cook better ;).
The best part
is, the column will now be handled by our very own blog super star, Nike Ola.
This week, she shares tips on how to make Nigerian Jollof Rice, enjoy!
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.
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 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.
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. Let’s get
started.
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. Let’s get
started.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: African
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Long Grain Rice (you can use any type)
- 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
- 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. - Pour the blended pepper mixture into a saucepan or pot and boil over a medium heat until the pepper reduces and the water dries.
- 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.
- 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. - Add tomato paste and fry until you can’t taste its sour taste. Stir continuously so it doesn’t burn.
- Add the boiled pepper mixture, stir and fry until you can see the traces of the oil floating.
- 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. - 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 or add rice then the stock/water.
- Combine thoroughly.
- 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, add the liquid as you cook. 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 add more
seasoning. - Cover
with foil to trap in the steam (you need mostly steam to cook the rice
and not the liquid) then cover with the pot cover and cook. (Mine took
25 minutes in total) - 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 if it needs more. - 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. - 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. - Serve
- Enjoy
I have Coconut Jollof Rice and Nigerian Fried Rice with Shrimps on the blog, you might want to try it.Website: http://aliyahsrecipesandtips.com/
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Nice one.Christmas jollof rice loading…
Hmmmm…Yummy!Looks delish.
Thanks, Aliyah for this but what is the purpose of adding the butter?
Thanks, Aliyah for this but what is the purpose of adding the butter?
it gives the rice a rich taste and a soft and succulent consistency. I also add it to white rice too, it makes it fluffy.
Thanks for the reply.
I usually add the butter to the pepper mixture before adding rice..will try this out. Thank you!
Yummy yummy
Yummy yummy