Jollof Rice

Name: Jollof Rice
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: West African
Ingredients: 2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed; 4 plum tomatoes, roughly chopped; 1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped; 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (or habanero), stemmed; 1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped; 1/3 cup vegetable oil; 1/4 cup tomato paste; 3 cups gluten-free chicken stock (or vegetable stock); 2 bay leaves; 1 tsp curry powder; 1 tsp dried thyme; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper

A beloved West African one-pot rice dish simmered in a richly spiced tomato and pepper sauce. This Nigerian-style version builds deep smoky flavor with a crispy rice bottom called party jollof.

70 minMediumServes 6380 cal/serving

West AfricanDinnerStovetopStandardGluten-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-FreeAlcohol-Free

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Ingredients

2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
4 plum tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped
1 Scotch bonnet pepper (or habanero), stemmed
1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup tomato paste
3 cups gluten-free chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
2 bay leaves
1 tsp curry powder
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1

Combine 4 roughly chopped plum tomatoes, 1 roughly chopped red bell pepper, 1 stemmed Scotch bonnet pepper (or habanero), and half the yellow onion in a blender. Blend until smooth to make the tomato-pepper base.
2

Heat 1/3 cup vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the remaining diced 1 large yellow onion and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes until softened and starting to turn golden.
3

Add 1/4 cup tomato paste to the pot and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until it darkens slightly. Pour in the blended tomato-pepper base and cook uncovered over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes until the sauce reduces and deepens in color.
4

Add 1 tsp curry powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir well to combine.
5

Add 2 cups rinsed long-grain white rice to the pot and stir to coat every grain in the tomato sauce.
6

Pour in 3 cups gluten-free chicken stock (or vegetable stock) and add 2 bay leaves. Stir once, then bring to a boil.
7

Once boiling, reduce heat to the lowest setting and cover tightly with foil first, then the pot lid. Cook for 25-30 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed. For the traditional smoky bottom, uncover for the last 3 minutes and raise heat briefly to medium.
8

Remove the bay leaves, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve hot.

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Questions

How much time should I plan for Jollof Rice?

As written, 70 minutes: 20 of prep and 50 of cooking. The longest single stretch is step 7 (30 minutes): "Cook for 25-30 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed."

How do I know when Jollof Rice is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 3: cook until the sauce reduces and deepens in color. Step 7: cook until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed.

What can I use instead of Scotch bonnet in Jollof Rice?

The entry for Jollof Rice calls for 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (or habanero), stemmed. In its place: Habanero has the same heat and a similar fruitiness. For much less heat, use a jalapeno and a strip of orange bell pepper.

Can I make Jollof Rice less spicy?

Yes. The heat in Jollof Rice comes from 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (or habanero), stemmed. For a milder plate, remove the seeds and ribs from the hot pepper, or use half; nothing else in the method changes.

Is Jollof Rice gluten-free?

Yes. As written, nothing in the ingredient list for Jollof Rice is wheat, barley or rye. Gluten hides in packaged goods, so read the label on the stock and the curry powder.

How many calories are in Jollof Rice?

One serving (the recipe makes 6) is about 380 calories, with 10 g protein, 62 g carbohydrate and 8 g fat, plus 2 g fiber and 520 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

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