Jollof Rice is a delicious and nutritious West African dish made from rice, tomatoes, onions, peppers and spices. The first day I cooked this rice I got hooked and now I cook it every day. I have tried several ways of cooking it but the recipe that I will share with you makes it easier and quick to make.
Though Jollof rice is a west African dish, it is enjoyed by other people all over the world. The origin of this dish is still a debate but is believed to have originated in Senegal with many other West African countries adopting it over time. Regardless of its origin, this rice has become a beloved dish for its unique blend of flavors and its versatility. It can be paired with a variety of proteins and vegetable salads, including chicken, fish, and beef.
Health Benefits of Jollof Rice
Not only is Jollof Rice delicious, it is also incredibly nutritious. Rice is a great source of carbohydrates and provides energy to the body thus keeping you energized through out the day. The tomatoes, onions, and peppers are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, which can help to boost the immune system and protect against disease. Furthermore, white rice, commonly used in making jollof rice is easy to digest especially for people with digestive issues. When preparing Jollof rice, a lot of tomatoes are use. Tomatoes are loaded with vitamin C which may help to build the body’s immune system. It also contains lycopene which is beneficial to the body. Other minerals available include manganese, selenium and B vitamin. All these minerals are essential in our bodies.
How to simply make jollof rice
The basic recipe for jollof rice involves sautéing onions, tomatoes, tomato sauce and peppers in a cooking pot. The spices, including ginger, garlic, and chili powder, are then added to the to create a flavorful base. Rice is then added to the cooking pot and mixed with the tomato and spice mixture and let to soak up the spices before being cooked until it is fluffy and tender. A simplified version of jollof rice is blending the tomatoes, pepper, onions, garlic and ginger into a paste, then using that paste to cook the rice. Other spices are added into the paste before the rice is added.
Here is a simple recipe of Jollof rice:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of long-grain rice; I use basmati
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 medium-sized tomatoes
- 2 large red bell pepper
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 3 cups of chicken broth/beef stock or water
- Vegetable oil
Instructions:
Step 1: Make the tomato paste
Roughly chop tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, garlic and ginger then blend all in a blender to make a paste.
In a large cooking pot, heat the oil over medium heat, add the tomato/pepper mixture and cook until the liquid in the mixture and the tangyness of the tomatoes is reduced, about 8 minutes.
Stir in salt and the rest of the spices, then cook for another 2 minutes.
Step 2: add rice
Add the rice to the pot and stir until it is well coated with the tomato and spice mixture, cook for about 2-3 minutes. Pour in the broth/beef stock or water and bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the cooking pot with a tight lid, and let the rice simmer for about 20 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender
Remove from the heat, fluff the rice with a fork and let it rest for about 5 minute. During this time it will continue cooking with its own heat.
Serve with your favorite protein and/or vegetables and enjoy!
Serving Jollof rice
Jollof rice can be enjoyed as a main dish or served as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish. My favorite and quick serve for any rice dish has always been stir-fried chicken breast or fried liver strips. As a side dish, jollof rice can be served alongside stews, soups, or salads for a complete meal. Jollof is also served in parties to please the crowd.
Jollof Rice is a delicious and nutritious dish that is enjoyed by people all over the world. Whether you’re looking for a tasty meal or a healthy and flavorful dish, Jollof Rice is the perfect choice. So why not give it a try and see for yourself what makes this West African dish so special!
Other Similar rice recipes
Jollof rice recipe simplified
Ingredients
- 2 cups Long-grain rice
- 1 Onion large
- 3 Tomatoes medium size
- 2 Bell peppers Large
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 ginger small piece
- 1 tbsp paprika
- ½ tsp chilli powder
- ½ tsp tumeric powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 cups broth/water
- vegetable oil
- salt to taste
Instructions
Step 1:
- Roughly chop tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, garlic and ginger then blend all in a blender to make a paste.
- In a large cooking pot, heat the oil over medium heat, add the tomato/pepper mixture and cook until the liquid in the mixture and the tangyness of the tomatoes is reduced, about 8 minutes.
- Stir in salt and the rest of the spices, then cook for another 2 minutes.
Step 2:
- Add the rice to the pot and stir until it is well coated with the tomato and spice mixture, cook for about 2-3 minutes. Pour in the broth/beef stock or water and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the cooking pot with a tight lid, and let the rice simmer for about 20 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Remove from the heat, fluff the rice with a fork and let it rest for about 5 minute. During this time it will continue cooking with its own heat.
- Serve with your favorite protein and/or vegetables and enjoy!
