Have you ever heard of jolof rice? It may not be a familiar dish in Japan, but it is a staple menu item loved by many people in Africa. In this article, we will take a closer look at the spicy and varied jolof rice.
Please stay with us until the end!
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What is Jollof Rice?
Jollof Rice is a pilaf-style rice dish made with chicken, beef, vegetables, and other ingredients cooked in a tomato-based soup.
This is a West African dish eaten in countries on the northern coast of the Gulf of Guinea, on the western side of the African continent.
It is eaten for lunch and other meals, and is loved as a national dish.
The name Jollof Rice is related to the Wolof tribe, which will be introduced later. The literal translation is “Wolof rice.”
The History of Jollof Rice
The birth of Jollof Rice is closely related to the Wolof tribe.
The Wolof people are an ethnic group living in West Africa, mainly in Senegal. They once established a country called the Jolof Empire.
The staple foods at that time were rice and millet dishes made with locally grown ingredients, and tomatoes and spices were not yet common.
However, from this period onwards, a culture of single-dish meals using seafood and spices began to take shape.
Later, trade with Europe began, and tomatoes and spices were introduced. This led to the establishment of a cooking method that added tomato soup to traditional rice dishes.
There is also a story that it originated from Senegal's national dish, Thieboudienne. Thieboudienne is a dish made by simmering fish and vegetables in tomato sauce and then cooking it with rice.
It is similar to Jollof Rice with fish, but it is believed that Jollof Rice was created by replacing the fish in Chebjen with meat to simplify the dish.
During the colonial era, it became widely known in West Africa through railways and ports. Nowadays, it is characterized by unique arrangements in various regions, allowing you to enjoy different flavors depending on the area.
Jollof Rice Variations
Jollof Rice has been adapted to suit the tastes of different regions. Here are some of those variations.
1. Senegalese style (original)
That's Chebjen, which I mentioned briefly earlier.
It is characterized by its use of fish such as mackerel and sea bream as the main ingredient.
Another characteristic is that the vegetables are cut into large pieces and broken rice is used.
Although the seasoning is relatively mild, this dish allows you to enjoy the delicious flavor of the fish.
In addition, Chebjen is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
2. Nigerian style
This dish is rich in appearance and flavor, made with plenty of tomato sauce and chili peppers.
The menu mainly consists of meat dishes such as chicken, beef, and goat meat.
The spices used are aromatic, such as thyme, curry powder, and bay leaves, and the basic method is to cook the rice in the sauce.
It is characterized by its spicy and aromatic flavor.
It is also enjoyed as a celebratory dish that is always served at parties and weddings.
3. Ghana style
Onions and tomatoes are slowly sautéed to bring out their sweetness.
The rice is often parboiled and then steamed with the sauce, resulting in a slightly milder taste with less oil.
Another characteristic is that meat, fish, and sometimes sausage are added.
Alongside the Nigerian style, it is said to be one of the leading contenders for the title of “orthodox,” and is a well-balanced dish that appeals to everyone.
4. Sierra Leone/Liberia style
This dish is made by adding coconut milk to a base of sautéed onions, tomato sauce, and chili peppers.
The ingredients include fish, shrimp, and other seafood, giving it a soft aroma and mild flavor.
Located on the coast, this dish features seafood and coconut milk, showcasing the unique characteristics of the region.
5. The Diaspora Edition (European, American, and Caribbean immigrant communities)
Based on the original, it has the characteristic of being a multicultural fusion.
The background to this is that it was brought to Europe, the United States, and the Caribbean by African immigrants.
There are also creative variations that combine local vegetables and spices, as well as vegan options and additions such as cheese and bacon, offering a more unique selection.
A short story about Jollof Rice
Jollof Wars
This is a custom in which Nigeria and Ghana refuse to concede that their respective jolof rice is the most delicious in the world, and argue about it on social media and at events.
It spread as a result of comparison videos and joke videos on social media.
There is a famous episode involving Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg during his visit to Nigeria. He ate Nigerian-style Jollof Rice and commented, “It's delicious!” This caused a huge uproar on social media in Ghana.
Jollof Rice is cooked differently depending on the region. It is understandable that people prefer the familiar local taste. I think this is proof of how much Jollof Rice is loved.
The degree of “redness” varies from country to country
Jollof Rice, which varies in character depending on the region, appears to change color depending on the amount of tomatoes and chili peppers used and the cooking time.
The Nigerian style is bright red to reddish brown, while the Ghanaian style is orange to reddish in color.
It is often thought that the redder the color, the stronger the flavor, but the Ghanaian style is surprisingly sweet.
World Jollof Rice Day
In Nigeria, some people celebrate August 22 as “World Jollof Rice Day.”
On social media, people will post their recipes and photos on this day, using the hashtag #WorldJollofRiceDay to get everyone excited.
It all started with a comment on social media in 2015. Brand companies picked up on it, and it became standard practice.
Nowadays, international interest is growing along with the spread of West African cuisine.
How to make Jollof Rice
Ingredients (serves 4)
【Tomato sauce base】
- Tomatoes ... 4 (or 400g can of tomatoes)
- Red bell pepper ... 2
- Onion ... 1 (half for the sauce, half for stir-frying)
- Red pepper (to taste) ... 1-2 peppers
- Salad oil ... 3 tablespoons
【Rice portion】
- Rice (long grain recommended) ... 2 cups (approx. 300g)
- Chicken bouillon … 500 ml
- Bay leaf ... 1 leaf
- Time (drying) ... 1 teaspoon
- Curry powder ... 1 teaspoon (to taste)
- Salt ... appropriate amount
- Black pepper ... appropriate amount
【Ingredients】
- Chicken (thigh meat or wings) ... 300g
- Vegetables (carrots, green beans, green peas, etc.) ... appropriate amount
How to make them
1. Make the tomato sauce
- Chop the tomato, red bell pepper, half an onion, and chili pepper, then blend in a mixer until pureed.
- Heat oil in a pot and simmer the purée over medium heat for 10-15 minutes to evaporate the moisture.
→ Points：If you thoroughly remove the moisture, the rice will not become sticky.
2. Prepare the chicken
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Sear the surface in a frying pan and cook lightly (it's OK if it's not completely cooked through).
3. Simmer with rice
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in another large pot and fry the remaining onions.
- Add tomato sauce and stir fry lightly, then add bouillon, bay leaf, and curry powder.
- Add the washed rice and mix lightly, then top with the chicken and vegetables.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 20-25 minutes (adjust according to the type of rice).
4. Steaming & Finishing
- Turn off the heat and steam for about 10 minutes.
- Gently mix everything together, taste, and adjust with salt and pepper.
- Serve on a plate and add salad or fried plantains (fried bananas) as desired.
Tips for making it delicious
- If you use long-grain rice (such as basmati rice or Thai rice), the rice will turn out fluffy.
- Make sure to thoroughly evaporate the moisture from the tomato sauce.
- After cooking, the “okoge” (called party rice in the local area) at the bottom of the pot is exquisite.
Summary
How did you like it? This time, we introduced Jollof Rice, a South African dish.
We hope you will enjoy the rich variety and spicy flavors of this dish.
As I researched it, I felt myself becoming drawn to its charm.
It seems that African cuisine can be enjoyed at specialty restaurants in Japan, but there are not many such restaurants yet.
When that happens, please try making it at home and enjoy it.
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