Jollof is bae, as Nigerians love to say. Jollof rice is the most versatile and popular dish in West Africa. Countries like Nigeria and Ghana love to argue over which is the best. Popular contests like these are usually between Nigerian Jollof and Ghanaian Jollof. But did you know there are many ways to cook that iconic dish? Jollof lovers, here we cover 10 ways to cook jollof rice step by step.
10 ways to cook jollof rice step by step
- Smoky or Party Jollof
In Nigeria, you cannot mention jollof rice without discussing the famous smoky or party jollof. All love this particular type of jollof rice for its extra-special smoky taste.
A party jollof is usually made for special occasions like large events, meal prep, Owambes (Yoruba wedding parties), corporate dining, and birthday parties.
But cooking is tricky because it usually takes a team of highly skilled women, using firewood, to cook a smoky jollof in the Nigerian scene.
- Coconut Jollof Rice
This is another tantalizing West African Jollof rice with a twist. Variety is the spice of life, and when adding a twist to this classic dish, Coconut Jollof rice takes the crown.
The delightful flavors of coconut milk infuse every grain of rice, adding that zesty, rich, and creamy touch to your beloved Jollof recipe. Book a private chef with ikook to get premium coconut jollof rice.
- The classic Nigerian Jollof rice
This is the classic homemade Naija Jollof. This iconic dish is loved by all in Nigeria. Here’s a guide on how to cook this delicacy for your home and large events (however, the measurements differ).
Ingredients
- 2 cups of long-grain parboiled rice
- 400g canned tomatoes or tomato stew base
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 red bell peppers, blended or finely chopped
- 2 scotch bonnet peppers
- 1 teaspoon of thyme
- 1 teaspoon of curry powder
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth (or water)
- ½ cup of vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, green beans-fresh or frozen)
- 2 tablespoons of butter (optional but adds richness)
- Garlic
Instruction
- Rinse and parboil the rice
- Cook onions and minced garlic in oil
- Add blended tomato-pepper mix, seasonings, and simmer
- Pour in broth and mixed vegetables
- Cook until rice is tender.
- Ghanaian Jollof Rice
This jollof rice recipe is another beloved West African delight. Ghanaians and Nigerians argue over who cooks the best jollof in Africa. It’s a beautifully seasoned rice cooked to perfection in a vibrant tomato-based sauce.
Most times, cooking this special jollof rice is not easy to come by, so the best is to hire a private chef.
- Seafood Jollof Rice
Seafood Jollof Rice is another delicious Jollof recipe. It’s a delightful combo of aromatic jollof spices and tender seafood.
Basmati Jollof Rice
This variation of jollof rice is the classic jollof with a twist. It elevates the taste of the classic jollof, adding a delicate essence that lingers on the palate. To cook this rice, follow the steps below.
INGREDIENTS
- Basmati Rice: 2 cups of long grain Basmati rice (adjust quantity based on the number of servings)
- Mixed Vegetables: 1 cup of diced mixed vegetables
- Tomatoes: 2 medium-sized fresh tomatoes, finely chopped, or one cup of canned tomatoes
- Onions: 1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
- Garlic: 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
- Tomato paste:Two tablespoons of tomato paste to enhance the flavor
- Thyme: ½ teaspoon of Thyme
- Bay Leaves: 2 dried or fresh bay leaves
- Salt and Pepper: To taste, for seasoning
- Vegetable Broth or Water: 2 cups of vegetable broth or water to cook the rice
- Vegetable Oil: 2 tablespoons for cooking the garlic and onions
- Fresh cilantro or parsley: Chopped herbs for added freshness and colour (optional)
- Hot pepper sauce: For those who prefer a spicier rice (optional).
DIRECTIONS
- Rinse the Basmati rice thoroughly in cold water to remove excess starch. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onions and cook until they become soft and translucent
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until aromatic
- Add the chopped tomatoes or canned tomatoes, tomato paste, thyme, curry powder, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Cook the mixture and stir it occasionally until the tomatoes break down and release their juices.
- Add the mixed vegetables to the pot and cook for a few more minutes
- Pour in the vegetable broth or water and bring the mixture to a boil
- Add the rinsed Basmati rice to the pot and stir well to combine with the tomato and vegetable mixture
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let the rice simmer for about 20 minutes or until it is fully cooked and the liquid absorbs
- Ofada Jollof Rice
This Jollof Rice recipe uses Ofada Rice instead of Long Grain rice. This jollof rice recipe combines the delicious ofada stew and ofada rice.
- Oven-baked Jollof Rice
This jollof recipe takes the zestiness to a whole new level by being oven-baked instead of the traditional stovetop method we have previously explored. To cook this rice, follow the instructions below.
INGREDIENTS
- Long grain rice (the quantity depends on the number of servings)
- Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes or Canned tomatoes to make the base of the sauce
- Onions
- Bell peppers
- Garlic
- Spices: Common jollof rice spices like thyme, curry powder, paprika, cayenne pepper
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- Oil: Vegetable oil or any of your preferred oils.
- Protein (shrimp, beef, tofu, or chicken
- Vegetables (peas, carrots, or green beans)
- Bay leaves
DIRECTIONS
- Gather all the ingredients you need
- Preheat the oven. Set it to 190 degrees Celsius to ensure it is properly heated when you’re ready to bake.
- Prepare the vegetables: Dice the onions, blend the peppers, tomatoes and garlics
- Cook the vegetables in hot oil on a stovetop
- Add the spices and stir
- Pour in the blended tomatoes and let the mixture cook until the excess liquid evaporates and the sauce thickens.
- Add the rice and stir until it is well coated with the tomato mixture
- Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth
- Add proteins (chicken or shrimp)
- Bake in the oven. Cover the pan with aluminum foil or a lid before transferring it to the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and tender.
- Senegalese Jollof Rice
This jollof rice recipe is highly praised for its unique and rich flavors. Some non-Nigerians have even argued that this is the best jollof in Africa, especially since jollof rice originated in Senegal. This is yet another delicious way of cooking the iconic Jollof rice dish.
In essence, jollof rice is a versatile dish that can be cooked in different ways depending on the creativity and nationality of the chef. This article has explored 10 ways to cook Jollof Rice step by step. Enjoy and start cooking!
Book a Private Chef with iKooK for any of the Jollof Rice
This is where ikook comes in; we are a brand that serves you the best meal for as low as N30,000 by ordering for our food bowl, where you get a professional private chef from the ikook app, make any of the jollof recipes and send it to your doorstep.
Ready to Get an Unforgettable Jollof Experience
Booking a private chef is an investment in hassle-free celebrations and culinary excellence. You should want to wow your guests or enjoy a relaxed and luxurious experience, and a private chef is not just the answer but not negotiable.
Contact iKooK, a reputable private chef service in Nigeria, today, and let us handle the magic while you savor every festive moment.
