Jollof Rice Recipe: Based on NeemTime research
Ingredients of Jollof Rice Recipe
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Long grain rice | 2 cups (400g) | Rinsed or lightly parboiled |
| Fresh tomatoes | 5 large (500g) | Blended |
| Red bell peppers | 2 large (200g) | Blended |
| Onion | 2 medium (150g) | 1 chopped, 1 blended |
| Garlic | 3 cloves | Crushed or minced |
| Fresh ginger | 1 tbsp | Grated |
| Scotch bonnet or fresh chili | 1 | Optional, for heat |
| Homemade tomato paste | 2 tbsp | Made by simmering and reducing fresh tomatoes |
| Vegetable oil or homemade palm oil | ¼ cup (60 ml) | Filtered or rendered at home |
| Salt | to taste | Natural or sea salt |
| Bay leaf | 1–2 | Optional |
| Homemade dried thyme | 1 tsp | Crushed dried leaves |
| Homemade curry spice blend | 1 tsp | Optional, if prepared from ground seeds/herbs |
| Water or homemade vegetable/chicken stock | ~3 cups | Freshly prepared stock preferred |
Detailed Preparation Guide of Jollof Rice Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Rice
Wash 2 cups of rice thoroughly until water runs clear.
Optionally parboil for 5–7 minutes, then drain.
🕒 Time: 10 minutes
🔥 Calories: ~1,400 kcal (from 2 cups uncooked rice)
Step 2: Make the Pepper-Tomato Blend
Blend tomatoes, bell peppers, 1 onion, garlic, ginger, and chili.
Simmer this blend in a dry pan for 10–15 minutes to reduce excess liquid.
🕒 Time: 15 minutes
🔥 Calories: ~200 kcal
Tomatoes: 90 kcal
Bell peppers: 60 kcal
Onion, garlic, ginger, chili: ~50 kcal
Step 3: Cook the Sauce
Heat ¼ cup of oil in a pot. Sauté the second chopped onion until translucent.
Add homemade tomato paste, stir for 5 minutes.
Add the reduced pepper blend, thyme, curry, bay leaf, and salt.
Cook until the oil starts to separate (about 10 minutes).
🕒 Time: 15 minutes
🔥 Calories:
Oil: 480 kcal
Onion: 30 kcal
Tomato paste: 30 kcal
Total: ~540 kcal
Step 4: Add Rice and Simmer
Add the washed rice into the sauce. Mix thoroughly.
Pour in 3 cups of water or homemade stock.
Cover and cook on low heat for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add water as needed for desired texture.
🕒 Time: 30 minutes
🔥 Calories: Already included in earlier steps (no additions here)
Step 5: Rest and Fluff
Turn off heat, let rice rest (covered) for 10 minutes.
Fluff with a fork before serving.
🕒 Time: 10 minutes
🔥 Calories: 0 added
Total Preparation Time of Jollof Rice Recipe for 4 Persons
| Task | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Washing & parboiling rice | 10 minutes |
| Blending & simmering sauce | 15 minutes |
| Cooking tomato sauce | 15 minutes |
| Cooking rice | 30 minutes |
| Resting/fluffing | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | ~1 hour 20 minutes |
Total Calories of Jollof Rice Recipe and Calories Per Person
| Source | Calories |
|---|---|
| Rice (2 cups) | ~1,400 kcal |
| Pepper-tomato blend | ~200 kcal |
| Oil | ~480 kcal |
| Onion, spices, tomato paste | ~70 kcal |
| Total Calories | ~2,150 kcal |
| Calories per person (4 servings) | ~538 kcal per person |