Smoky jollof rice

Smoky Jollof Rice

Smoky Jollof Rice is a beloved West African dish known for its rich, spicy, and smoky flavors. This one-pot meal is a perfect blend of tomatoes, peppers, and spices, cooked to perfection with rice. The smoky aroma, often achieved by slightly toasting the rice at the bottom of the pot, makes it truly special and irresistible.

Serving Size and Yield

This recipe serves approximately 6 people.

Preparation and Cooking Time

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

• 2 cups long-grain parboiled rice
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions for garnish

Instructions

1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Set aside.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper, and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, smoked paprika, thyme, curry powder, and bay leaf. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
6. Add the rinsed rice to the pot, season with salt and pepper, and stir well.
7. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 30 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and has absorbed the liquid.
8. Stir in the frozen peas, if using, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
9. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
10. Fluff the rice with a fork, garnish with sliced green onions, and serve hot.

Additional Notes

For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add other vegetables like carrots or bell peppers for extra nutrition. Adjust the spice level by adding more or less smoked paprika and curry powder.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Approximately 350 calories, 10g fat, 55g carbohydrates, 6g protein, 4g fiber.

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