Jollof Rice is a popular West African dish known for its flavorful combination of rice, tomatoes, peppers, and spices. With roots tracing back to the Senegambia region, Jollof Rice has developed into distinct variations across West Africa, including Nigerian, Ghanaian, Senegalese, and Gambian versions. This Nigerian-style recipe is a one-pot rice dish with a rich tomato and pepper base, warm spices, and a slightly smoky flavor.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium tomatoes, roughly chopped (about 5 ounces each)
  • ½ medium Scotch bonnet pepper (or use a habanero pepper), stem removed
  • ½ medium onion, roughly chopped
  • 3 small red bell peppers, roughly chopped (about 5 ounces each)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons hot ground chili pepper, such as African dried chili or cayenne
  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 heaping teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 2 ½ cups medium-grain rice

Instructions

1. In a blender, combine tomatoes, scotch bonnet pepper and onions; purée. Pour out half the purée into a bowl; set aside. Add the bell peppers to the purée remaining in the blender and pulse until smooth. Add to the mixture that was set aside and stir to combine.

2. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add blended vegetables along with the salt, curry powder, ground chili pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, bay leaves, ginger and thyme. Bring mixture to a boil.

3. Stir in the rice until well mixed, then reduce the heat to low. Cover pot and let cook until rice is al dente, about 45 minutes. 

4. Check after 30 minutes; if rice is sauce-logged, remove the lid to cook off the excess sauce. If rice seems dry, stir in 1 to 2 cups water. Allow the rice at the bottom of the pot to char a bit to infuse it with a smoky flavor.