Ghanaian Jollof rice is a popular and flavorful dish that is enjoyed in many parts of West Africa. Here’s a simple recipe for making Ghanaian Jollof rice:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups long-grain parboiled rice
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 large tomatoes, blended
- 1 red bell pepper, blended
- 1 green bell pepper, blended
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (adjust to your spice preference)
- Optional: 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
Instructions:
- Rinse the Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Blend the tomatoes, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper until smooth. Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic.
- Saute the Aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and sauté for another minute.
- Add the Blended Vegetables: Pour in the blended tomatoes and peppers. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and the oil begins to separate.
- Season the Sauce: Add thyme, curry powder, paprika, dried thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the sauce. If you like your Jollof rice spicy, you can also add a chopped Scotch bonnet pepper at this stage.
- Add Broth and Rice: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir in the rinsed rice and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer until the rice is cooked and has absorbed the liquid. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes.
- Optional Vegetables: If you’re adding frozen peas and carrots, stir them into the rice about 10 minutes before it’s done cooking.
- Fluff and Serve: Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork to separate the grains. Remove the bay leaf, and your Ghanaian Jollof rice is ready to be served.
Ghanaian Jollof rice is often served with grilled or fried chicken, fish, or other protein of your choice. Enjoy!
