Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of West Africa with this decadent and aromatic Jollof rice recipe. The rich flavors and vibrant colors of this dish will transport you to a world of luxury and sophistication.
Why is West African Jollof Rice a must-try?
Jollof rice is a beloved West African dish, particularly popular in Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal. Here’s a general guide on how to prepare and make West African Jollof rice.
Indulge in the luxurious experience of savoring each mouthful of this exquisite dish. The vibrant colors and bold flavors will awaken your senses and transport you to a world of bold flavor. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with a succulent plant based protein, West African Jollof Rice is a culinary delight that is sure to impress even the most discerning palate. Sometimes meat is added to this dish, so in this recipe we will be using Seitan. Seitan is also known as wheat gluten or wheat meat, which is made from gluten is the main protein found in wheat. It's cooked and flavored to create seitan. It's a popular meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan diets due to its high protein content and meat-like texture.
Directions on Making the Seitan:
- 3 cups of vital wheat gluten flour mix
- Mix with water until you get a medium-firm consistency
- heat a skillet to medium-high heat
*other plant based meat options
1. Vegan Sausages
2. Tofu
3. Tempeh
4. Chickpeas
Ingredients for Jollof:
To make West African Jollof Rice, you will need the following ingredients:
- 4 cups of long-grain parboiled rice or Basmati rice (rinsed)
- Seitan (vital wheat gluten flour mix)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cups of veggie broth
- 4 teaspoon of curry powder (Jamaican curry)
- 2 teaspoon of thyme
- 2 teaspoon of paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 10 cloves Garlic, shredded
- 1/2 cup fresh ginger, grated
- 6 large tomatoes
- 1 cup cooking oil (sunflower or coconut)
- 2 can of 29 oz tomato sauce
- 2 hot pepper (Habanero or Scotch Bonnet)
- 2 and 1/2 tsp ground chili pepper (cayenne)
- 2 and 1/2 tsp Salt
- 2 cups of water
Directions for Preparing the Jollof:
1. In a large pot, heat some oil and brown the Seitan pieces (or any meat alternative you have). Cook until golden brown. You can season them in the pot to your liking. Remove from the skillet and set it aside.
2. In the same pot, sauté the onions and bell pepper until they are soft.
3. Add the diced tomatoes, veggie broth, curry powder, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
4. Add the rice and meat back to the pot. Cover and let it simmer until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
5. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve hot. Enjoy the delicious flavors of West African Jollof Rice!