West African Jollof Rice

Immerse yourself in the bold, vibrant flavors of West African Jollof Rice, a one-pot dish that's rich in history and irresistible taste. This iconic recipe combines perfectly cooked long-grain parboiled rice with a flavorful tomato-based sauce infused with red bell peppers, aromatic spices like thyme and ground ginger, and a subtle kick of cayenne pepper. Simmered in savory chicken stock and studded with colorful mixed vegetables, this hearty meal is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Garnished with fresh coriander or parsley, Jollof Rice is perfect as a standalone meal or as a side to grilled meats. Whether you're hosting a festive gathering or craving a comforting weeknight dinner, this dish brings the essence of West African cuisine straight to your table in under an hour, with just 20 minutes of prep.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups long-grain parboiled rice
• 0.25 cup vegetable oil
• 1 whole large onion, chopped
• 1 whole red bell pepper, chopped
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• 3.5 cups chicken stock
• 2 leaves bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, etc.)
• 0.25 cup fresh coriander or parsley for garnish

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Heat the vegetable oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes.

Step 3

Add the chopped bell pepper and continue to sauté for another 3 minutes until the pepper softens.

Step 4

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent it from burning.

Step 5

Add the crushed tomatoes to the pot, stirring well to combine with the paste. Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat to reduce the acidity.

Step 6

Pour in the chicken stock and add the bay leaves, salt, cayenne pepper, thyme, and ground ginger. Stir to combine all ingredients fully.

Step 7

Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, add the rinsed rice, stirring well to integrate the rice with the sauce.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low, cover tightly with a lid, and cook for about 30 minutes. Check occasionally to ensure the rice doesn't dry out. If more liquid is needed, add a small amount of water.

Step 9

After 30 minutes, stir in the mixed vegetables and cook for an additional 10 minutes until both the rice and vegetables are fully cooked and tender.

Step 10

Remove the pot from heat, let it sit covered for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld further.

Step 11

Fluff the rice with a fork, and garnish with fresh coriander or parsley before serving. Enjoy your Jollof Rice!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2596.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1623.8

Total Fat 69.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 33.6g
Cholesterol 74.5mg	0%
Sodium 3230.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 185.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.1g	0%
Total Sugars 43.2g
Protein 73.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 428.4mg	0%
Iron 22.4mg	0%
Potassium 2837.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.7%

Protein: 17.7%

Carbs: 44.6%