HOW TO PREPARE NIGERIAN JOLLOF RICE

Delicious Nigerian jollof rice! 🔥🍚 Here's a recipe to make a mouthwatering, smoky Nigerian jollof rice:

Ingredients: 🛍️

- 1 cup of uncooked long-grain rice 🍚

- 2 cups of water 💧

- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil 💦

- 1 large onion, chopped 🍠

- 2 cloves of garlic, minced 💡

- 1 teaspoon of grated ginger 🌿

- 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (or substitute with habanero), chopped (optional) 🔥

- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin ❀️

- 1 teaspoon of paprika ❀️

- Salt and black pepper, to taste ❗️

- 2 bay leaves 🌿

- 2 tablespoons of tomato puree 🍅

- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce (optional, for a smoky flavor) 🍜

Instructions:_📝

1. Prepare the rice: Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside. 🚿

2. Heat oil and sauté onions: Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. 🔪

3. Add aromatics: Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped Scotch bonnet pepper (if using). Sauté for another minute, stirring constantly. 🔄

4. Add spices and seasonings: Stir in the cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the spices are fragrant. ❀️

5. Add rice and water: Add the prepared rice to the saucepan and stir to coat the rice with the oil and spice mixture. Add the water and bring to a boil. 🌊

6. Reduce heat and simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid has been absorbed. ⏰

7. Add tomato puree and soy sauce (if using): Stir in the tomato puree and soy sauce (if using). Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the rice is well coated with the tomato puree. 🍅

8. Finish with bay leaves: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the bay leaves. Cover the saucepan with a clean towel or paper towels to absorb excess moisture. 🌿

9. Serve: Serve the smoky Nigerian jollof rice hot, garnished with chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley or cilantro) if desired. 🍴

Tips:🤔

- To achieve a smoky flavor, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of liquid smoke or smoked paprika to the rice while it's cooking. 🔥

- If using soy sauce, start with a small amount (1 tablespoon) and adjust to taste, as it can be quite salty. ❗️

- Traditionally, Nigerian jollof rice is cooked over an open flame or on a charcoal stove, which gives it a distinctive smoky flavor. If you have access to an outdoor grill or a charcoal stove, feel free to cook the rice using these methods for an authentic flavor. 🔪

Enjoy your delicious, smoky Nigerian jollof rice! 😋