Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe

Nigerian Jollof Rice is that food item in Nigeria without which a party is  incomplete. Jollof Rice is the life of the party.
It was my husband’s birthday  last week and we decided to have lunch at Southern Sun Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos. Brunch on Sunday is always a busy time for this hotel, providing the ambience and food variety tailored to the Nigerian clientele taste. It’s always a place where you have families eating in comfort. We decided to invite few family members to have brunch with us.  Amongst other choices at the very large array of dishes was Nigerian  Jollof  rice and the birthday boy did not miss having this even though he gets to eat it quite often at home…

Nigerians are so stuck on their regular foods even when they find other varieties.:)
Almost at the end of the brunch now turned to lunch, we heard the restaurant staff singing happy birthday song and before we knew it about  seven staff members of the restaurant were by our table and placed a nice cake in front of my husband. What a pleasant surprise, what thoughtfulness……. . I had a brief chat with the Sous Chef Stanley and hinted that it was my hubby’s birthday , so when they came out with the cake, I understood. Chef Stanley Thanks for the birthday gift from the hotel . You have a satisfied customer here. Looking forward to a cooking date with you 🙂

As I watched many guests plates at lunch I realized that I have not featured Jollof rice on this blog. Jollof  rice on most of our guests plate, just reminded me of my childhood birthday parties.

I remember back in the days when rice was served in big trays at birthday parties. There was no such thing as individual plates . The rice came in a big tray with spoons placed on the edges of the tray and you had to struggle to eat to your satisfaction. You then will always have this daring child who will aim for the chicken thigh as soon as the tray is placed in the middle of the kids. Always a hilarious moment for the parents watching. As the supervising adult snatches the chicken thigh, the next thing that comes is the wailing of the child. The rule then was you eat your food and have meat last. Wonder why parents deprived us from eating our meat midway through eating.:)
Here is Jollof rice and dodo

Recipe for Nigerian Jollof Rice 

2 cups rice
4 cooking spoons Tomato/ Pepper mix
3 tablespoon Tomato Purée
1 medium size onion
1 cup beef stock
Seasoning to taste
3 cooking spoons vegetable oil
Pinch thyme

1/2 teaspoon Curry powder
Pinch garlic powder
Salt to taste
Water( Quantity will depend on brand of rice)

Method
1, Chop and fry the onion for 2 minutes
2, Add the tomato purée and seasoning , salt, garlic and thyme and fry till the oil turns red and the sourness of the tomato disappears
3, Add the tomato/ pepper mix and continue to fry for another 5 minutes
4, Add the rice and fry for about 10 minutes stirring to prevent the rice burning at this stage. Frying helps the red color to be absorbed by the rice
5, Add the meat stock and water,taste to correct seasoning, lower the heat and cook the rice till soft. You can start with 2 cups of water in addition to meat stock. Check softness of rice as cooking progresses and add more water as needed.
6, If you want the burnt  PARTY JOLLOF RICE flavour you can allow the rice to purposely burn for about 10 – 15 minutes.

7, All you do additionally is to cover the top of the rice with kitchen foil  and place the pot cover on it. This way the burnt flavor is retained.
8, Serve with dodo and some veggies