JOLLOF RICE

Jollof rice is probably my all time favourite dish. As a child, my mother cooked it every Sunday for lunch and so it's always had an air of something special to me. These days, I probably have it up to 2-3 times a week and that really is a testament as to how amazing it is.

There is a silent debate about the best type of rice to use - long grain? basmati? brown? But truth be told, every family has their unique way of making this dish, so it is completely up to you. As someone who has tried using all kinds of rice for this dish, I can confirm that they all taste fantastic. 

Ingredients

(serves 4)

- 2 cups golden basmati OR long-grain rice

- 1 large red bell pepper

- 1-2 scotch bonnet peppers (depending on how hot you want it!)

- 2 medium sized tomatoes

- 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional)

- 2 cloves garlic

- Fresh ginger (about the size of your thumb)

- 1 small onion

- 2 vegetable stock cubes

- 1 tsp curry powder

- 1 tsp dried thyme

- Salt to taste

- 4 tbsp sunflower oil or coconut oil

- 3 cups water

- Fresh chopped basil (optional)

Blend the peppers, tomatoes, onion, ginger and garlic with 1 cup of water to form a smooth mixture.

Heat the oil in a pot and add the mixture, along with the stock cubes and seasoning.  Add the remaining 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.

Add the rice to the mixture, stirring well, then lower the heat completely. Cook for about 30 minutes, making sure the rice doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot (you might have to add a tiny bit more water as you go along). You want all the water to be absorbed and the rice texture to be light and fluffy. 

Chopped basil works so well with this dish, so if you have some lying around or growing in the garden, you can add a handful towards the end. 

Jollof rice can be eaten with fried plantain* or moin moin*. Why not try it with some steamed vegetables too!

*Recipes coming soon!