When there’s something to celebrate, my family always makes a huge pot of Jollof Rice with fried plantain! It’s the ultimate celebratory dish, full of flavor and good times.
Classic Nigerian Jollof Rice
Ingredients
- 3 cups parboiled rice
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 large ripe tomatoes, blended
- 1 red bell pepper, blended
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper (optional), blended
- 1/2 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- Chicken or beef stock
- Curry powder, thyme, bay leaves, salt to taste
- 2 ripe plantains, sliced and fried (for serving)
Steps
- In a large pot, heat oil. Sauté chopped onion until translucent. Add blended tomatoes, bell pepper, and scotch bonnet. Cook for 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens and oil rises.
- Stir in tomato paste, curry powder, thyme, bay leaves, and salt. Cook for another 5 minutes. Add chicken or beef stock, bring to a boil.
- Add parboiled rice, stir well, ensuring rice is submerged. Cover tightly and reduce heat to low. Cook for 25-30 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff the rice with a fork. Serve hot with fried plantains and your choice of protein.