{"id":"jollof_rice_30cc760fac","slug":"authentic-west-african-jollof-rice","title":"Authentic West African Jollof Rice","description":"A vibrant, smoky, and flavorful one-pot rice dish made with a rich tomato and pepper base, slow-cooked to perfection. This recipe delivers the iconic party-style flavor with charred notes and perfectly separated grains.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":45,"totalMinutes":65,"activeMinutes":25},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"3 cups long-grain parboiled rice","name":"Rice","quantity":555,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"3","usUnit":"cup","form":"parboiled","notes":"long-grain","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1/4 cup vegetable oil","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":60,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"2 red onions, finely chopped","name":"Red Onions","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely chopped","notes":"red","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"4 garlic cloves, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":4,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 tablespoon ginger, minced","name":"Ginger","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"minced","notes":"fresh","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1/2 cup tomato paste","name":"Tomato Paste","quantity":140,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"","group":"Stew Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"3 red bell peppers","name":"Red Bell Pepper","quantity":3,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"piece","form":"blended","notes":"","group":"Stew Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"2 Scotch bonnet peppers","name":"Scotch bonnet pepper","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"blended","notes":"or habanero","group":"Stew Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"5 plum tomatoes","name":"Plum Tomatoes","quantity":5,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":5,"usUnit":"piece","form":"blended","notes":"","group":"Stew Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"4 cups chicken stock","name":"Chicken Stock","quantity":1,"unit":"l","usQuantity":"4","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"or vegetable stock","group":"Liquid","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 teaspoon dried thyme","name":"Thyme","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"dried","notes":"","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"1 teaspoon curry powder","name":"Curry Powder","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-13","original":"3 bay leaves","name":"Bay Leaves","quantity":3,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-14","original":"Salt to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"","notes":"to taste","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-15","original":"1 tablespoon unsalted butter","name":"Butter","quantity":14,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"","notes":"unsalted, for finishing","group":"Finish","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Blend the red bell peppers, Scotch bonnet peppers, and plum tomatoes until smooth. Set aside.","group":"Prep","title":"Blend the red bell peppers, Scotch bonnet peppers, and plum tomatoes","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Prep"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.","group":"Cooking","title":"Heat the vegetable oil","timerMinutes":7,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the tomato paste to the pot. Fry it in the oil and onion mixture for 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently. The paste should turn a darker shade of red and lose its raw, tart smell.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the tomato paste","timerMinutes":8,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Pour in the blended pepper and tomato mixture. Stir well and cover. Let it simmer on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes until the sauce reduces and the oil starts to float on top.","group":"Cooking","title":"Pour in the blended pepper and tomato mixture","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Stir in the chicken stock, thyme, curry powder, bay leaves, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil.","group":"Cooking","title":"Stir in the chicken stock, thyme, curry powder, bay leaves, and salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Rinse the parboiled rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Add the washed rice to the pot. Stir gently to ensure the rice is submerged in the liquid. If the liquid doesn't cover the rice by about half an inch, add a splash more water.","group":"Cooking","title":"Rinse the parboiled rice thoroughly under cold water","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Cover the pot tightly with a layer of aluminum foil, then place the lid on top. This traps the steam inside, which is crucial. Reduce the heat to very low and cook for 30 minutes without opening.","group":"Cooking","title":"Cover the pot tightly","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-8","text":"After 30 minutes, check the rice. If it is soft, stir in the butter (if using) and fluff with a fork. Cover again for 5 minutes before serving to let the flavors settle.","group":"Finish","title":"After 30 minutes, check the rice","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Finish"}],"notes":"Using parboiled rice is essential for the classic West African texture as it holds its shape better than standard long-grain rice. For 'party-style' Jollof, let the bottom slightly burn at the end—the steam from this 'burn' infuses the whole pot with a signature smoky flavor.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["West African","Nigerian","Ghanaian"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["simmer","saute","boil"],"equipment":["Large heavy-bottomed pot","Blender","Aluminum foil","Wooden spoon"],"diet":["high_protein","gluten_free","nut_free","egg_free","soy_free"],"allergens":["milk"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":6,"unit":"servings","note":"Approximately 1.5 cups per serving"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Jollof rice actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld. Reheat with a tablespoon of water to restore moisture."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container once completely cooled.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or stock."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fjollof_rice_30cc760fac%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=60109006-6968-4c22-bb36-c940f3f16e36","imageAlt":"Authentic West African Jollof Rice — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["one-pot","spicy","rice","african","party-food"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Authentic West African Jollof Rice","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T22:00:04.730Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T22:00:04.730Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_17142e2daf","slug":"asida-traditional-african-porridge","title":"Asida (Traditional African Porridge)","description":"A thick, smooth, cooked flour pudding popular across North and East Africa, typically served with melted butter and honey or date syrup for a comforting breakfast.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Sudanese","Libyan"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_17142e2daf%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e46cb0f8-07cd-453d-8e07-df1274fe8fc9","imageAlt":"Asida (Traditional African Porridge) — recipe cover","tags":["porridge","traditional","sweet","dough","filling","soft"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_e6582a3999","slug":"firfir-ethiopian-breakfast-fit-fit","title":"Firfir (Ethiopian Breakfast Fit-fit)","description":"A classic savory Ethiopian breakfast made with torn pieces of injera soaked in a spicy, flavorful sauce of berbere spice, aromatics, and spiced clarified butter.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ethiopian","Eritrean"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_e6582a3999%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f2f625e4-ee9c-425d-8c20-8e0103664b3e","imageAlt":"Firfir (Ethiopian Breakfast Fit-fit) — recipe cover","tags":["firfir","ethiopian","spicy","breakfast","injera","african"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_18a4e55c12","slug":"kitfo-ethiopian-minced-beef","title":"Kitfo (Ethiopian Minced Beef)","description":"A traditional Ethiopian delicacy featuring finely minced lean beef seasoned with spicy mitmita and rich, aromatic niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter).","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ethiopian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["high_protein","gluten_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_18a4e55c12%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=aeedadce-d5d5-4aa2-aa31-f13472950759","imageAlt":"Kitfo (Ethiopian Minced Beef) — recipe cover","tags":["beef","spicy","ethiopian","kitfo","high-protein","african-cuisine"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":4}]}