Jamie Oliver Jollof Rice - Jamie Oliver Dishes

This delicious Jamie Oliver Jollof Rice is a vibrant, flavorful dish that’s perfect for any meal! Packed with spices like smoked paprika and cumin, it’s a simple yet hearty rice dish that can easily be made with pantry staples. Customize it by adding your favorite veggies or proteins for a complete meal!

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🧡 Why You’ll Love This Jollof Rice Recipe

So Tasty: This recipe mixes many spices and fresh ingredients, making a very flavorful dish. It’s both yummy and interesting.
Easy Clean-Up: You make everything in one pot, so you have fewer dishes to wash.
Works with Many Meals: You can eat this rice on its own or with other foods like chicken or fish. It’s great for any meal.
Good for Parties: This dish is easy to cook in big batches, which is perfect for parties or family dinners.
Healthy: It’s made with a lot of veggies and spices, so it’s good for you and tastes great too.

🍗 Jamie Oliver Jollof Rice Ingredients

For The Tomato Sauce:

1 large, ripe tomato (cored and quartered)
1 large red bell pepper (seeded and roughly chopped)
1 whole habanero pepper (stem removed)
1 whole Fresno chili or jalapeño (stem removed)
4 cloves of garlic (peeled)
1 tablespoon minced ginger
2 cups (480 ml) of cold water

For The Rice:

1/3 cup (80 ml) olive oil
1 red onion (diced)
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/4 cup (60 ml) tomato paste
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
2 1/4 cups (500 g) basmati rice
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon paste
1/4 cup chopped green onion for garnish (optional)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro, for garnish (optional)

🍲 How To Make Jamie Oliver Jollof Rice

Prepare the Tomato Sauce: First, blend the tomato, red bell pepper, habanero pepper, Fresno chili, garlic, ginger, and water until completely smooth. This creates a flavorful base for your Jollof rice.
Sauté the Onions: Next, heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced red onion and a teaspoon of salt. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until the onions have softened. This helps to build the foundational flavors of the dish.
Add the Tomato Paste and Spices: After this, push the onions to the side of the pan to create space. Add the tomato paste and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Then season with smoked paprika, curry powder, cumin, thyme, black pepper, and turmeric. Cook everything together for another 1 to 2 minutes to enhance the flavors.
Incorporate the Rice: Then, turn off the heat and stir in the rice until it is fully coated with the spice and tomato mixture. This step ensures that each grain of rice will be infused with flavor.
Cook the Rice: After this, add the bay leaf and chicken bouillon paste. Turn the heat to high, stir in the blended tomato sauce, and bring everything to a vigorous simmer. Cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer for 20 minutes without stirring.
Rest the Rice: Next, turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for an additional 12 minutes. Remember not to remove the lid during this time to allow the rice to steam perfectly.
Garnish and Serve: Finally, remove the lid, fluff the rice with a fork, and, if desired, garnish with chopped green onions and cilantro. Serve your flavorful Jollof rice hot, perfect as a standalone dish or paired with your favorite sides.

💭 Recipe Tips

Make Smooth Tomato Sauce: Make sure to blend your tomato sauce very smooth. This helps the taste spread through all the rice.
Watch the Heat: Keep your stove on medium when you cook the spices and low when you cook the rice. This stops the rice from sticking or getting burnt.
Don’t Stir the Rice: Once your rice is cooking, don’t stir it. Stirring makes the rice mushy.
Let the Rice Rest: After cooking, leave the rice covered for 12 minutes. This helps it cook a little more on its own and makes it fluffy.

🥗 What To Serve With Jollof Rice?

Jollof Rice pairs well with grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, fried plantains, or a simple cucumber salad. It also can be served alongside a spicy grilled shrimp, sautéed greens, avocado slices, or sweet corn for a delicious meal.

🎚 How To Store Leftovers Jollof Rice?

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Freeze the cooled Jollof rice in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Jollof Rice?

In The Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the rice in a baking dish, sprinkle a little water over it, cover with foil, and heat for about 15 minutes.
In The Microwave: Place the rice in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle some water, cover, and heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
On the Stovetop: Reheat the rice in a skillet over medium heat. Add a few tablespoons of water, cover, and stir occasionally until heated through.

FAQ’S:

What Type Of Rice Is Best For Jollof Rice?

Basmati rice is recommended for its ability to absorb flavors and maintain a non-sticky texture.

Is It Necessary To Use Chicken Bouillon?

Chicken bouillon adds depth to the flavor, but you can substitute vegetable broth or bouillon for a vegetarian version.

How Can I Ensure The Rice Doesn’t Stick To The Pan?

Using the correct water to rice ratio and avoiding stirring during cooking will help prevent sticking.

What Are Some Common Garnishes For Jollof Rice?

Green onions, cilantro, and sometimes slices of avocado or a squeeze of lime are popular choices.

Can I Add Protein To This Dish?

Absolutely, adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu can make it a more filling meal.