Jollof Rice
Jollof Rice is a very popular West African dish that has sometimes sparked friendly arguments as to who makes the best.
And that friendly discussion is between Ghanaians and Nigerians, it’s all fun and games because we love each other.
Jollof rice originated from the Wolof, an ethnic group in parts of Senegal, the Gambia, and Mauritania all on the West coast of Africa.
Sometime last week a popular food website posted a very diluted version of Jollof Rice which they claimed was Ghanaian; which really angered a lot of Ghanaians and other West Africans.
But my wife and I agreed that getting angry wasn’t the solution to combat such an atrocity 🙂 but rather we needed to create a video showing a better version of this great West African delicacy.
In my household, I or my wife make it once a week served with some Kelewele.
I’m yet to meet an individual who’s not from the West African region who doesn’t love Jollof.
There might be a complaint about the heat or spiciness in it but that can be controlled. And if you don’t enjoy it I have to question the cook.
You can get all the ingredients at your local grocery store or order it online at Amazon.
So here you are and have a great week!
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I will earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link.
Jollof Rice
Jollof Rice is a highly popular West African rice dish that is made out of rice, tomatoes/ tomato sauce, spices/herbs.
Ingredients
- 3/4 Cup Cup Canola Oil
- 4 Habanero Peppers You can use fewer or more depending on your tolerance level
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 1.5 Cups Cups Tomato Paste You can also use fresh tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 2 Cups Water
- 1 Cube Cube Bouillon
- 1 Tbsp Seaoned Salt
- 5 Cups Basmati Rice
- 5 Cups Chicken Stock / Broth You can add more if you like your rice softer or stickier
- 1/4 Pound Ginger Blended
- 1 Bulb Onion
Instructions
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First of all, warm up your oil in a saucepan for five minutes
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Add the onions and let it cook for about 5 minutes
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Add the blended garlic and ginger
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Add the tomato paste and 2 cups of water. Stir for a few minutes until the sauce is nice and smooth and let it simmer for about 15- 20 minutes.
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You can now include the Basmati Rice and let it cook for another 30 minutes. Cover the rice mix with a foil wrap with the saucepan lid over it. The foil traps the steam and allows it to cook a well and faster. Stir the mix every 5 - 10 minutes until cooked. Your world famous Jollof rice is ready!
Recipe Notes
Jollof Rice
Jollof Rice is a highly popular West African rice dish that is made out of rice, tomatoes/ tomato sauce, spices/herbs.
Love this! My husband and I love rice and I can’t wait to make it! And I love the explanation of the Jollof Rice and and how people debate over whose is best! Great post- and I pinned it so I can make it later!
You would love it when you try it. I would love to see images when you try it. Thanks a lot Lisa!
At home we eat a lot of rice but usually prepared in the Asian way. I’d love to try Africana way! Thanks for this recipe – it seems easy to make yet tasty!
Yes Asia, its quite simple to make. Thanks for stopping.
My housemate is from Ghana. I wonder if he has made this recipe before! It sounds delicious.
That is if cooks, if he cooks I’m sure he’s done something similar.
This sounds delicious! Full of heat!! Must be so tasty!! I do love spicy food, so I think I’d go with the 4 habaneros lol!!
Wow Camila! You must be as obsessed as I am with habaneros, lol. Thanks for stopping by!
I need to make dinner soon and I am thinking about what I can make. I think I may just use your recipe. It sounds fantastic. I would probably have to use jalapeno though. My husband used the last of the habaneros. He needs to have everything super spicy so I should just run to the grocery to get habaneros haha. I’m thinking out loud.
I’VE USED Jalapeno in the past, so that should be fine. Plus I’m sure you have cayenne which will work just as well. Thanks for stopping April!
Wow, the flavors in this rice sound absolutely incredible! I can’t wait to try this recipe the next time I make rice 🙂
Yes they are flavorful Heather, Jollof Rice is the best! Thanks for stopping by!
This looks so yummy! I’m not a huge fan of plain white rice – so flavorless! I love this recipe because it looks like it will have lots of flavor!
Yes it does have a lot flavor Stephanie, I’m also not a fan of plain rice. Thanks for stopping!
Haha, happily announcing that I will be making some jollof rice this weekend. This one looks so so yummy, Fred.
Well done!
Yaay!!!! I look forward to seeing your pictures.