Jollof Rice with Chicken

 Jollof Rice is a Western African dish. Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, etc. There is always the fight 'Who has the best Jollof Rice?'

Why the question or competition arose I don't know. Every country has prepared it differently. 

Some use Palm oil, some cooked in cast iron pot over firewood which gives it a smokey flavour, Senegal cooks like to add tamarind juice. So why competition?

Anyway, my fusion way of Jollof Rice is this one.

Jollof Rice with Chicken

(Serving for 4)

Ingredients-

·         3 tbsp oil

·         3 lb chicken pcs.

·         1 large onion

·         2 cloves garlic

·         ½ inch ginger

·         1 c frozen veg mix

              Or

·          ¼ c red bell pepper, ¼ c yellow bell pepper

·         1 can tomato paste

·         1 can diced tomato

·         1 c uncooked rice, rinsed and drained

·         1 can chicken broth

·         ½ c water

·         ½ tsp crushed red pepper

·         Salt to taste

·         ½ tsp sugar

·         1 tsp curry powder.

1.

Preparation-

Step 1-

1.       Make a paste of onion, garlic and ginger. Transfer into a bowl.

2.      Blend tomato paste and diced tomatoes to a smooth paste and transfer into another bowl.

Step 2-

1.       Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.

2.      Add chicken and fry till the colour changes (pink to brown). Transfer into a bowl.

3.      In the same pan fry onion-garlic-ginger paste for 5-7 min.

4.      Add Chicken pcs. and cook for 7-9 min.

5.      Stir in tomato puree paste. Cook for 5 min.

6.      Add rice and frozen veggies, the curry powder, salt, sugar and red pepper.

7.      Add chicken broth and water. Cover the lid and bring to boil.

8.     Reduce the heat to low. Cook for about 30 min. till rice and chicken are cooked.

9.      Rest for 5-7 min. before serving.