Nigeria: Jollof rice

Indulge in the culinary wonders of Nigerian cuisine with this tantalizing recipe for Nigerian jollof rice! Bursting with vibrant colors and bold flavors, Nigerian jollof rice is a beloved national dish that will transport your taste buds to the bustling streets of Nigeria. From the moment you take your first bite, you’ll be captivated by the perfect harmony of aromatic spices, tangy tomatoes, and tender rice grains. Whether you’re craving a taste of authentic West African cuisine or seeking to impress your guests with a delightful and crowd-pleasing dish, this recipe will guide you step by step in recreating the rich, smoky, and utterly irresistible flavors of Nigerian jollof rice. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you yearning for more as you unlock the secrets of this iconic Nigerian dish. Get your pots ready and let’s dive into the world of Nigerian jollof rice!

Growing up in London made me realise how blessed i was to be surrounded by such exquisite food! with London being one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world I was fortunate to have eaten foods like Jollof, even at a young age. This dish stole my heart when it was first introduced to me at 11 years old. One of my closest friend peter would always invite me and a couple of friend over to play Fifa and his mother would always bring a heart warming and spicy dish of Jollof every time we came over.

Nigerian jollof rice is a well-known and beloved version of jollof rice that originates from Nigeria. It is often regarded as one of the best and most flavorful variations of this dish. Nigerian jollof rice is known for its rich and vibrant taste, with a perfect balance of spices and flavors.

The key ingredients used in Nigerian jollof rice include long-grain parboiled rice, tomatoes, onions, red bell peppers, scotch bonnet peppers (habanero peppers), garlic, and a variety of spices such as thyme, curry powder, bay leaves, and ginger. These ingredients are combined to create a flavorful base for the rice.

To prepare Nigerian jollof rice, the rice is first washed and parboiled until it is partially cooked. This helps to ensure that the grains remain firm and separate when the dish is cooked. Meanwhile, a tomato-based sauce is prepared by blending tomatoes, onions, and peppers into a smooth consistency. This sauce is then cooked down with spices and seasonings to intensify the flavors.

Once the sauce has thickened, the parboiled rice is added to the pot, along with water or chicken stock. The rice is then simmered on low heat until it absorbs the flavors of the sauce and is fully cooked. This slow cooking process allows the rice to absorb the aromatic spices and develop its distinctive taste.

Nigerian jollof rice is often served with a variety of accompaniments, such as fried plantains, coleslaw, salad, and protein sources like chicken, beef, or fish. It is a popular dish for social gatherings, parties, and festive occasions in Nigeria, and it is widely enjoyed by both Nigerians and people from other cultures.

Nigerian jollof rice has gained international recognition and has even become a subject of friendly culinary debates. Many people appreciate its bold flavors, smoky aroma, and the depth of spices that make it a truly satisfying and delicious dish.

To Start we want to roast the following vegetables for 45 minutes at 200 degrees C. You can also broil this to get a good char on the vegetables. This will help add an extra smoky flavour to the jollof rice:

• 3 red Bell peppers – Halved
• 3 Scotch bonnet peppers – Halved
• 5 Medium Tomatoes – Quartered
• 1 Garlic bulb – Halved with skin on
• 2 Onions – Quartered

You then want to let this cool down and blend until you have a nice thick sauce.

Next you want to wash your rice until the water run clear. We are using Long grain rice here (It is important to use Long grain rice as this what makes Nigerian jollof rice different to other Jollof rice’s)

In a crock pot on medium high heat, heat 100ml of oil and fry clided onions until Translucent and golden.

Then add Tomato puree and fry for 20 minutes. The puree should get darker in colour and should separate into little pebbles.

Next you want to add your blended sauce and fry for 40 minures. You may have to add a little more oil if it starts to burn. Cook this on medium heat and stir every 3-5 minutes.

Next you want to add the following spices and then cook this in the sauce for 10 minutes:

• 1 tbsp Ginger powder
• 1.5 tbsp Curry powder
• 1.5 tbsp Dried thyme
• 1.5 tbsp white pepper
• 1.5 tbsp Chicken powder (Bouillon cubes)
• 5 bay leaves

Now add your washed rice, stir and cook for 5 minutes. Add Chicken stock, cover and cook for 20 minutes. Cook on medium.

Note: Please ensure that you wash the rice until the water is CLEAR. This part is crucial as you will get soggy rice if you didn’t.

Rice can become sticky if it is not washed properly due to the presence of excess starch on the surface of the grains. Rice grains naturally contain starch, which can make them sticky when cooked. When rice is not washed thoroughly before cooking, the starch on the surface remains, leading to stickiness.

Washing rice helps to remove the excess starch and any impurities or dust that may be present. As you rinse the rice under water, the water becomes cloudy, indicating the removal of starch. By washing the rice properly, you can reduce the stickiness and achieve fluffy, separate grains when cooked.

Note: (if you dont have a crockpot you can use a normal pot but use foil to cover the pot with the lid. Using a crockpot helps trap the heat as making jollof rice is a steaming process so we want to trap as much heat as we can. You can do this also by using foil on a normal pot) cook for 20 minutes. Cook on medium.

Add the garnishing tomatoes and onions and stir in. Cover and cook for another 10 minutes.

Note: Ensure you stir with a wooden spoon! Wooden spoons are gentler on the delicate grains of rice. They have a smooth surface and rounded edges, which help to prevent the rice from breaking or getting crushed during stirring. This helps to preserve the texture and integrity of the cooked rice, resulting in fluffy and separate grains.

Next remove it from the heat and and let it rest uncovered for 10 minutes.

Nigerian jollof rice is often served with a variety of accompaniments, such as fried plantains, coleslaw, salad, and protein sources like chicken, beef, or fish. It is a popular dish for social gatherings, parties, and festive occasions in Nigeria, and it is widely enjoyed by both Nigerians and people from other cultures.