Jollof rice is serious business. There is a lot of history involved, along with many variations on how to make it. To learn more about Jollof rice, click here: https://ourkosherkitchen.com/the-jollof-chronicle-a-remarkable-west-african-rice-dish/
This version aims to show a typical Nigerian rendition of the dish. It uses a stew base that is easy to make and found in many Nigerian recipes. To make it, click here: https://ourkosherkitchen.com/recipe/red-stew/
The Right Stuff
This recipe calls for a couple of ingredients you can only find an African grocer.
Ingredient 1: stock cubes
Stock cubes taste differently based on the country they are manufactured in because they aim to replicate a restaurant-style stock typical of the region they are produced in.
In Nigeria,, common varieties are Maggi and Knorr. Unfortunately, the Nigerian versions are not kosher-certified. Therefore, it is easiest to use your favourite kosher store-bought stock, or homemade stock (use instead of water).
Ingredient 2: curry powder
The recommended brands are either Lion or Ducros, which are both kosher-certified. Again, if needed it is fine to substitute regular curry powder.
If you would like to take a stab at making Nigerian curry powder at home. Ozoz Sokoh, aka the ‘Kitchen Butterfly’, has a recipe available on Food52: https://food52.com/recipes/83239-nigerian-style-curry-powder.
A Few Tips
- If you cannot find par-boiled rice, just substitute any long-grain rice
- Scotch bonnets range from about 100 000 to 350 000 Scoville units, so use to taste. Spicier varieties tend to be smaller in size and stronger in smell.
- Do use red onion. White onion is too bland and brown onion is too sweet.
- Rice takes about the same amount of time to cook regardless of quantity, so scaling this recipe should not heavily affect cooking time
- Covering the rice with foil before placing a lid on helps trap in moisture, requiring less water to cook the rice which results in a drier texture
Storage
Jollof rice keeps in the fridge for about a week and in the freezer for about 3 months. For best results, that in the fridge overnight before reheating. There are a couple of different way to reheat your Jollof.
Method A: the microwave
Place a damp paper towel over the Jollof. Add to microwave and stir every 20 seconds until the rice is steaming hot.
Method B: the stovetop
Add leftover rice to a pot and cover with a lid. Set heat to low and let steam for 15-20 minutes.
Sources
Ajayi, I. (2020, August 18). Nigerian Jollof rice. Ivonne Ajayi. https://www.ivonneajayi.com/post/nigerian-jollof-rice
Aki, E. (2015). How to make Jollof rice in 5 easy steps. Ev’s Eats. https://evseats.com/how-to-make-jollof-rice-in-5-easy-steps/
Baskaran-Makanju, S. (2023, October 6). Nigerian jollof. https://urbanfarmie.com/nigerian-jollof/
Eleanor. (2018). The best Nigerian party Jollof rice recipe you can’t resist. Eleanor’s Dish. https://eleanorsdish.com/food/jollof-rice-recipe
Immaculate Ruému. Classic Nigerian Jollof rice – the tastiest simplicity. (2020, October 13). Immaculate Ruému. https://www.immaculateruemu.com/classic-nigerian-jollof-rice-the-tastiest-simplicity/
Jen. (2020, June 14). Nigerian Jollof rice recipe. Sim’s Home Kitchen. https://simshomekitchen.com/nigerian-jollof-rice-recipe/
Kemi. (2022, January 5). Nigerian Jollof rice recipe. Recipe Vibes. https://www.recipevibes.com/nigerian-jollof-rice-recipe/
Kitchen Butterfly. (2016, August 16). Classic Nigerian Jollof rice. Food52. https://food52.com/recipes/61557-classic-nigerian-jollof-rice
Komolafe, Y. (2019). Jollof Rice. The New York Times. https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020288-jollof-rice
Olayiwola, A. (2022, November 6). Jollof rice, 2 ways – Nigerian & Ghanian. Eat Well Abi. https://eatwellabi.com/jollof-rice-2-ways-nigerian-ghanaian/
Osinkolu, L. (2023, July 11). Jollof rice. Chef Lola’s Kitchen. https://cheflolaskitchen.com/jollof-rice/
Precious. (2018, August 2022). Nigerian Jollof rice. Precious Core. https://www.preciouscore.com/nigerian-jollof-rice/
Sisi Jemimah. (2021, March 27). How to cook perfect party Jollof rice: Tips for smoky Nigerian party Jollof rice [Video]. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4tNAyRdo70&t=1035s
Sokoh, O. (2022, September 22). Nigerian Jollof rice. Serious Eats. https://www.seriouseats.com/nigerian-jollof-rice-recipe-6741471
Woodard, J. (2023, August 27). Nigerian Jollof rice + black history month virtual potluck. https://www.dashofjazz.com/nigerian-jollof-rice/
Nigerian Jollof Rice
Ingredients
Jollof
Garnish
Instructions
Preparation
-
Jollof
Dice onion
Wash rice and drain
-
Garnish
Slice onion and tomato
For the onion, make orbital slices (not root to stem, but into rings) as it results in a chewier texture
Cook
-
Onions
Set a pot on medium heat and add oil
Once hot, add onions
Stir occasionally until translucent, about 5 minutes
-
Tomato paste
Add tomato paste and fry until it darkens significantly and is pebbly in texture, about 15-20 minutes
-
Stew base and seasonings
Add stew base, stock cubes, bay leaves, thyme, curry powder, and salt
Stir together and taste for seasoning
-
Rice
Add rice and stir together
Add water until the rice is level with the liquid (note: use broth instead of water if you have any on hand)
Cover pot and turn heat to low
Cook for 30 minutes
-
Steam
Turn off heat and open lid
Add sliced onion and tomato
Fluff the rice and stir to incorporate the onion and tomato throughout
Return lid to pot and let steam for a further 15 minutes
If your lid has a hole, cover the pot with foil first to trap in all the steam. Also, general advice is to cook rice on the lowest possible heat to avoid breaking the grains. This usually works great with gas stoves. If using electric or induction, sometimes low heat will not cook your rice. In that case, use medium-low to medium heat. -
Burn (optional)
With the lid on, raise heat to the highest setting
Leave the heat on high until there is a strong aroma of burnt rice. About 2-3 minutes
Ready to serve
Sacrifices some of the rice but ensures a smoky flavour
