How to Cook Jollof Rice with Vegetables Using Addme Ricemate

To cook jollof rice with vegetables, fry a tomato and pepper base in oil, add washed parboiled rice and stock, stir in Addme Ricemate for the vegetables, then cover and cook on low heat until soft. It takes about 45 minutes and serves 4 to 6 people. Ricemate adds the vegetables and extra flavour, so you skip the chopping. Below is the full recipe, step by step.

What Is Jollof Rice?

Jollof rice is rice cooked in a rich tomato and pepper sauce. It is one of the most loved dishes in West Africa and a must at every Nigerian party. Nigerian jollof is usually made with long-grain parboiled rice and has a deep red colour and a slightly smoky taste.

Jollof Rice Ingredients

This recipe serves 4 to 6 people.

For the tomato base

• 4 medium tomatoes

• 2 red bell peppers (tatashe)

• 1 to 2 scotch bonnet peppers (ata rodo), to taste

• 2 medium onions

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• Half a cup of vegetable oil

 

For the rice

• 3 cups of long-grain parboiled rice

• 3 to 4 cups of chicken stock or water

• Addme Ricemate, using the amount on the pack for 3 cups of rice

• 1 teaspoon curry powder

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 2 bay leaves

• Seasoning and salt to taste. Try the Addme seasoning range.

How to Cook Jollof Rice with Vegetables: Step by Step

Step 1: Make the pepper blend

Blend the tomatoes, tatashe, scotch bonnet, and one onion until smooth. Boil the blend in a pot for about 10 to 15 minutes to reduce the water. This gives a thicker, richer sauce.

Step 2: Fry the base

Heat the oil in a large pot. Slice the second onion and fry it until soft. Add the tomato paste and fry for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often. Frying the paste removes its sour taste.

Step 3: Add the pepper blend and spices

Pour in the reduced pepper blend. Add the curry powder, thyme, bay leaves, and a little seasoning. Fry for about 10 minutes, until the oil starts to rise to the top.

Step 4: Wash the rice

While the sauce cooks, wash the rice 2 to 3 times until the water runs clearer. This removes extra starch and helps stop sticky jollof.

Step 5: Add the rice, stock, and Ricemate

Add the rice to the pot and stir so every grain is coated in sauce. Pour in the stock until it just covers the rice. Stir in the Addme Ricemate.

Step 6: Cover and cook on low heat

Cover the pot tightly. You can place foil or a clean nylon under the lid to trap steam. Cook on low heat for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not stir too often, as this breaks the rice and makes it mushy.

Step 7: Check, taste, and serve

When the rice is soft and the liquid is gone, taste it. Add salt if needed. Remove the bay leaves. Serve with fried plantain, chicken, beef, fish, or coleslaw.

How to Get Party Jollof (Smoky) Taste at Home

Party jollof gets its smoky taste from a little burning at the bottom of the pot. At the end, turn the heat up for 2 to 3 minutes without stirring. Then turn it off and leave the pot covered for 5 minutes. Watch closely so the rice does not burn too much.

Tips for Perfect Jollof Rice

• Use parboiled rice. It holds its shape and does not get mushy.

• Do not add too much stock. You can add a little more later, but you cannot take it out.

• Cook on low heat. High heat burns the bottom before the top is cooked.

• Do not stir often. Stirring breaks the grains.

• Wash the rice. More tips in the secret to non-sticky rice.

Why Add Vegetables to Jollof Rice?

Jollof rice is mostly rice and oil, so it is high in energy but low in fiber. Adding vegetables gives more fiber, vitamins, and colour. Ricemate adds vegetables to the pot with no chopping. For more ways to boost your jollof, see how to make jollof rice more nutritious.

Is Jollof Rice Healthy?

Jollof rice can be part of a healthy diet. On its own it is high in energy and oil and low in protein and fiber. To make it healthier, use less oil, add vegetables, serve a good portion of protein like chicken or fish, and add a side of salad or coleslaw. Keep the rice portion to about one quarter of your plate.

Cooking Jollof for a Party?

Plan about 100 g of uncooked rice per guest, and cook in several medium pots instead of one huge pot. Full guide in how to cook rice for a crowd using Ricemate. For party cooking, the Ricemate 10-pack saves trips to the shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does jollof rice take to cook?

About 45 minutes to 1 hour in total. That is around 25 minutes to make the base and 25 to 30 minutes to cook the rice.

Why is my jollof rice soggy?

Usually too much stock or too much stirring. Add just enough stock to cover the rice, and stir as little as possible.

Why is my jollof rice not red?

The base was not fried long enough or there was not enough tatashe and tomato paste. Fry the paste well and add more red pepper.

Can I cook jollof rice without chopping vegetables?

Yes. Addme Ricemate adds vegetables to the pot, so you do not need to chop any.

What can I eat with jollof rice?

Fried plantain, chicken, beef, fish, moi moi, coleslaw, or salad are all popular.

Can I use Ricemate for other rice dishes?

Yes. See 7 ways to use Addme Ricemate beyond jollof.

The Bottom Line

Great jollof starts with a well-fried tomato base, washed parboiled rice, and slow cooking on low heat. Addme Ricemate adds the vegetables and extra flavour without any chopping. Try it this week with Addme Ricemate. New to it? Read what is Addme Ricemate and how do you use it.