Jollof Rice (Fragrant African Rice)

(serves 8-10)

Ingredients

• 2 cups long grain rice
• 60ml peanut oil
• ½ tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 stick celery, diced
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 3 garlic cloves crushed
• ½ inch piece ginger, peeled and grated
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp cayenne pepper
• 3 tbsp tomato paste (1x50g sachet)
• 2 large tomatoes, chopped finely
• 1 carrot, diced
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 litre chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 cup of peas
• Salt to taste
• Coriander to garnish
  
  

Method

Heat oil and butter in a large sauté pan, and saute onion, celery, green pepper, carrot garlic and ginger. Saute for about 3 minutes, add paprika, cayenne, bay and thyme. Add the tomato paste, tomatoes, bay leaf & thyme. Cook until tomatoes get slightly soft. Add the rice and saute for another minute. Add the stock and season with salt, cover with a lid and cook on low heat for about 30 minutes. Add the peas and if the rice is still firm, add a little more stock or water and cover and allow it to steam through. Garnish with coriander or parsley and serve.