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Smoky Jollof Rice

The pride of West Africa — long-grain rice slow-cooked in a deeply spiced tomato-pepper base until each grain glows red.

🍚
1h 15m 6 servings Medium

Ingredients

  • 3 cups long-grain parboiled rice
  • 6 ripe tomatoes, blended
  • 2 red bell peppers, blended
  • 2 scotch bonnets (to taste)
  • 1 large onion, blended + 1 sliced
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp thyme, 1 tsp curry powder
  • 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • Salt to taste

Method

  1. 1

    Blend tomatoes, peppers, scotch bonnets and one onion. Reduce in a dry pot for 10 minutes to thicken.

  2. 2

    Heat oil in a heavy pot, sauté sliced onion until golden, add tomato paste and fry 3 minutes.

  3. 3

    Pour in the reduced pepper mix, add bay leaves, thyme, curry and salt. Simmer 15 minutes until oil rises.

  4. 4

    Rinse rice well, stir into the sauce with stock. Liquid should just cover the rice.

  5. 5

    Cover with foil then lid, cook on low 30 minutes. Do not stir until last 5 minutes.

  6. 6

    For party-style smoke, let the bottom char slightly the final 5 minutes. Fluff and serve.