AFRICAN FOOD RECIPE

Today, I will be sharing how to prepare Nigerian Jollof Rice without tomatoes. This recipe is perfect for you if you are allergic to tomatoes, if you are looking to try something new (it’s delicious!) and/or if you are on a weight loss or weight maintenance routine.

Nigerian Jollof Rice Ingredients

• 3 cups long grain parboiled rice
• 3 or 9 carrots (see note below)
• 2 sweet peppers (see note below)
• 1.5kg (3.3 lbs) beef (ribs)
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 white onion
• 1 red onion
• 1 tbsp thyme
• 1 tbsp Nigerian curry powder
• White pepper (optional, to your taste)
• Habanero pepper (to your taste)
• 1-2 cooking spoons Vegetable oil
• 4 small seasoning cubes (beef flavour)
• Salt (to taste)

Tools and utensils you’ll need

The following are some great kitchen equipment I used in preparing the Nigerian Jollof Rice without tomatoes:

Notes on the Nigerian Jollof Rice Ingredients

1. Remember that we are cooking this Nigerian Jollof Rice without tomatoes so buy the most carotene laden carrots and the reddest peppers so that the colour of the Jollof Rice will pop.
2. Cow ribs is my prefered protein for this Nigerian Jollof Rice recipe but you can also use lamb or goat meat. As a last resort you can use hard chicken or fish because according to my tastebuds, they don’t go that well with this meal. 
3. If you want a mild carrot flavour, use 3 carrots for the quantity of rice stated. For a strong carrot flavour or if you are on a weight loss journey, use 9 carrots for the same quantity of rice.
4. The best rice for cooking Nigerian rice recipes is long grain parboiled rice, in second place is golden sella basmati rice.
5. By sweet peppers I mean fresh paprika or tatashe. In the absence of these two, you can use red bell peppers but note that red bell peppers contain lots of water. Watch the video below for more information on using red bell peppers when preparing this no tomato Nigerian Jollof rice.
6. For best results, use tasteless and odourless vegetable oils. Other oils are ok too but they will affect the taste.

Before you prepare Nigerian Jollof Rice without Tomatoes

1. Clean the vegetables very well, deseed the sweet pepper, tatashe and red bell and green peppers.
2. Precook the rice
3. 1. Cut up the vegetables and process separately with the chopper. See the video below.
   2. Clean the beef very well.

   Directions for making the Nigerian Jollof Rice without Tomatoes

   1. Place the beef in a clean pot. Add the seasoning cubes, chopped white onions, thyme and white pepper.
   2. Stir very well, cover the pot and steam till the beef is pale all over. Stir from time to time so it does not burn.
   3. When pale all over, add water to cover the contents, cover and start cooking.
   4. Keep an eye on it and top up the water when necessary till well cooked and soft.
   5. Separate the beef from the stock/broth and place in an oven tray.
   6. Slowly decant the broth/stock into another pot in case there are unwanted particles such as bones etc.
   7. Add curry powder, and bring to a boil.
   8. Add the precooked rice, you should have same level of liquid as the rice in the pot. If less, add some water to bring it to same level. Stir very well.
   9. Add salt if necessary,cover and start cooking on medium heat.
   10. Grill/Broil the beef in the oven till golden. You can also deep fry it.
   11. In another pot on another burner, heat up the vegetable oil.
   12. Add the chopped red onions and fry for a bit.
   13. Add the chopped carrots and fry till soft.
   14. Add the chopped peppers and fry till everything is well steamed.
   15. Season with salt, curry powder and black pepper and set aside.
   16. When the rice is almost dry, add the fried mixed vegetables on top, spread out. Cover and continue cooking till the rice is completely dry.
   17. Mix everything very well and it’s done!