Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe with Easy-to-follow Steps

       Nigerian Jollof rice is a rich and tasty one-pot meal when accompanied by a bottle of soft drink. It is quite a versatile dish, and i...

      

Nigerian Jollof rice is a rich and tasty one-pot meal when accompanied by a bottle of soft drink. It is quite a versatile dish, and it is usually made from scratch using rice, fresh tomatoes, fresh peppers, Tomato paste, Onions, Salt, and other spices.

Jollof falls under one of Nigeria's most revered delicacies. It is also very common in other West-African countries like Ghana, Togo, Senegal, Mali, Gambia and Cameroon.

However, each of the aforementioned countries has its diverse ways and methods of preparing the Jollof, even though the Nigerian version seems really cost-effective but then very delicious.

Is Jollof Rice Nutritional?

A few people eat because they want to consciously improve their nutrition. Most people just eat because they are hungry or they merely want to satisfy their cravings.

The evolution of our recipes in preparing great delicacies has also come from the need to improve our nutrition. Jollof prepared in Nigeria isn't only delicious but very nutritional.

The ingredients used in preparing it includes a wide range of things like crayfish, kpomo, meat, and other seafood, making it rich in protein and vitamins.

It can be made with a wide variety of rice. For this recipe, you can use long-grain parboiled rice.

To prepare parboiled rice, the hull is then removed. The rice absorbs nutrients and alters the starch, resulting in a firmer, less sticky rice dish than conventional white rice.

How to Cook Nigerian Jollof Rice

Cooking Jollof might feel simple and you might want to say a line like, "is it not just rice”? Yes, it might just be rice, but it requires a detailed chef who understands the amount of water needed, when exactly the rice should be parboiled, when to stir or not, and adding the right amount of spices in that pot.

When cooking Jollof, it is important to note that apart from the sweet tastes the rice achieves, the flavour is another aspect of it entirely. In fact, perfectly cooked Jollof should appeal to the eyes, taste buds and nose. Cooking this dish is a game of details and each step counts.

Step 1

The first step in cooking Jollof is sautéing the onions in groundnut oil on low heat. Then proceed to add your tomato paste after diluting with a little water to make a paste - or just simply add without diluting. This should take about five minutes. This adds a deep and rich tomato flavour to the dish; it is where the flavour game begins.

Step 2

Toss in your freshly blended tomatoes and pepper mix, ginger and garlic, and allow to cook for another 15-20 minutes. You'll detect it in the smell by the time it's done. In most cases, there is no set time for frying this pepper mix. When the sauce thickens to the point where the oil literally floats on top and the sauce no longer smells raw. it means it is time.

Step 4

Finally, add the thyme, curry powder, salt, and seasoning cubes to round out the flavour. If necessary, adjust the seasoning at this step. Then add cleanly washed rice once the flavour is perfect.

Make sure you thoroughly toss the rice so the sauce is evenly distributed throughout each grain. Add your meat stock now.

Stir it briefly before covering it with a tight-fitting lid. Cover the rice with foil paper before sealing it with the lid if your lid isn't tight enough. This is because Jollof requires a lot of steam to cook correctly.

Step 5

When the rice starts to boil, immediately reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for another 20 to 25 minutes or until the rice is done. You can add your cooking butter at this stage and stir to combine with the rice.

Then you can serve with plantains and fried chicken, spicy grilled chicken, grilled tilapia, or gizzards. Sit back with your loved ones and enjoy your bottom-pot Nigerian Jollof rice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nigerian Jollof Rice

1. Nigerian Jollof vs. Ghanaian Jollof: which is better?

Unlike Nigerian Jollof, Ghanaian Jollof has a higher tomato taste composition, owing to Ghanaians' fondness for tomatoes in many forms, including fresh, ripe, fruity, puree, and cooked. Ghanaians also add meat to the tomato sauce to give the Jollof a hearty, meaty flavour. Neither Nigerians nor Ghanaians will accept defeat on who makes the most delicious Jollof rice but both countries have their distinct ways of preparing their Jollof. 

2. Is Jollof rice native to Nigeria or Ghana?

Jollof is a West African rice dish. Long-grain rice, tomatoes, onions, spices, vegetables, and meat are often cooked together in the same pot; however, the ingredients and preparation methods vary by location. It is likely that Jollof rice originated from Senegal, but there are also possibilities that with time this recipe evolved into different variations across West Africa, every other country in this region has their distinct way of preparing Jollof rice.

4. Who received the award for the greatest Jollof rice in Africa?

After the judging was completed and the points were tallied, a Nigerian chef was declared the champion and received a top prize of $5,000. (Five Thousand Dollars ). This goes a long way to say how creative Nigerians are in culinary prowess in preparing Jollof rice.