9jafoodie rice

9jafoodie Rice

The second item on the 2015 christmas menu is this, possibly the best rice dish  I have ever cooked in my life.  I served the rice with the Jollof Chicken posted earlier.

When I dreamed up this recipe,  I was going to call it infused sausage rice. Simple minded me, I didn’t know I was going to be creating a masterpiece. When we finished testing this recipe and I tried it, I went to call my husband immediately; I honestly thought I was just hungry or tired and there was no way the rice tasted that good. My husband tasted it and said “this is a game changer, you have to name this rice after yourself”, so here we are. I humbly present the 9jafoodie rice, it’s honestly everything I want in one rice dish. Don’t even wait till christmas to cook this one, go and cook it now! Imagine the infusion technique of Jollof, the ever-present savory deliciousness of fried rice all crowned with fresh herbs and lightly crusty minced meat.

If I should choose my favorite personal contribution to the Nigerian Food world in 2015, it wouldn’t be the game changing roasted stew, the life changing unpeeled beans series, the impact-full cooking with microwave series, or the breakfast revolution of the Yamzza. It would be this right here, we love our rice in Nigeria and for me to be able to add to the list is just amazing. So next time you list Jollof rice, Coconut Rice, Fried Rice please include the 9jafoodie rice in there too :)

If you are looking for a different rice dish for the holidays, something that people will finish and ask for me; look no further. when they ask you for the recipe (and I am 1000% sure they will, kindly refer them here. after all there is love in sharing).  I honestly  didn’t know how delicious this was going to be when I was creating the recipe, I never “esperedit”.

There are several herb combinations that would work, pick 2-3 from these list and you are golden.

– Scallion (green onion)

– Cilantro (coriander)

– Basil (efirin)

– Parsley

 

The 9jafoodie Rice

Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 6

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups fresh green herbs (I used 1 bunch coriander and 1/2 cup green onion)
  • 1 large onion bulb – divided (finely mince ½)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 large green bell (tatashe) or Green Poblano pepper
  • 1-2 scotch bonnet peppers (ata-rodo)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 maggi cubes
  • Salt – to taste
  • 3 cups rice (I used parboiled rice, see recipe note for basmati and brown rice)
  • 2 cubs quality minced sausage (~5 regular size)
  • You can use any type of mince (chicken, beef or turkey) but I highly recommend sausage
  • Here is the sausage I used – removed from casing

Instructions

Combine herbs, 1/2 onion, peppers and garlic in a food processor. Add in 1 cup of water and pulse until almost smooth. Set aside

Place a heavy set pan on medium high heat, add in oil and onions. Stir fry until onion is lightly browned. Add in minced meat, 1 maggi cube and some salt and pepper to taste. Continue to Stir fry until meat is completely browned (about 4 minutes

Add dry rice into the minced. Continue to stir fry until the rice is completely covered and slightly toasted (about 3 minutes)

As you can see, I did not wash the rice. I always splurge on good quality rice for this reason. if you choose to wash your rice, please do so the night before and leave the rice to dry in a colander (strainer) overnight.

Add the herb blend into the rice and stir. Cover and leave to simmer for 3 minutes.

Add in 3 more cups of water, leftover knorr and more salt. Stir, taste the liquid and adjust for seasoning (it should taste AMAZING!!). Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil.

Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover tightly (If the cover doesn’t have a great seal, cover the pot with foil and then a lid)

Allow the rice to cook for 25 minutes (20 minutes if using basmati rice or 35 minutes if using brown rice)

Remove rice from heat, uncover and stir.

Serve with Some Spicy Chicken, Sauced Turkey or Peppered Meat