Nigerian Jollof Rice -

Nigerian Jollof Rice

Ingredients

1 fryer chicken, cut into pieces 2½ to 3 pounds meat may be substituted for the chicken
1 lime or lemon, cut in half
Salt, to taste
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup water
2 tomatoes, peeled
2 onions
4 red bell peppers
½ cup peanut oil
1 x 8 oz can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon red pepper, crushed or 1-1½ teaspoons cayenne
2 bay leaves
½ teaspoon thyme
1½ cups rice

Method

Rub meat or chicken pieces with cut sides of lime or lemon. Season with salt and sprinkle with garlic. Let marinate for a least 1 hour. In a stewing pot, simmer chicken or meat with about 1 cup water until tender.

Drain, reserving stock. Mince 1 tomato, 1 onion and bell peppers. Heat oil in stewing pot and fry meat or chicken until golden. Add minced vegetables, tomato sauce and crushed red pepper or cayenne. Stir in bay leaves and thyme. Saute until vegetables are soft. Add rice and cook over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring constantly. Add reserved stock, slowly, stirring constantly.

Cover and cook over low heat until rice is almost soft, stirring occasionally to keep rice from sticking. Slice remaining onion and tomato. Add to rice and continue cooking over low heat, well covered, until rice is tender. It may be necessary to add small amounts of boiling water to keep the rice from sticking.

Related food category:

• Breads, Grains and Pulses