How do I create a vegetarian jollof rice?

Go meatless with our vegetarian Jollof Rice recipe! Indulge in the vibrant colors and aromatic spices of West African cuisine for a vegetarian delight.

You'll need

Items needed to answer the question, How do I create a vegetarian Jollof Rice. Items include: long-grain rice onion bell peppers tomatoes garlic cloves tomato paste smoked paprika cumin curry powder cayenne pepper dried thyme dried rosemary bay leaf vegetable broth oil salt pepper

long-grain rice 2 cups
onion 1 large
bell peppers 2
tomatoes 2 cups (diced)
garlic cloves 3
tomato paste 2 tablespoons
smoked paprika 1 teaspoon
cumin 1 teaspoon
curry powder 1 teaspoon
cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon
dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon
dried rosemary 1/2 teaspoon
bay leaf 1
vegetable broth 4 cups
oil 2 tablespoons
salt to taste
pepper to taste

Take note
Be careful not to overcook the rice or it may become mushy. Also, be aware that the spices used in this recipe can be quite potent, so adjust the quantities according to your taste.

1

Prepare the Ingredients

Gather all the necessary ingredients for your vegetarian Jollof Rice. You'll need 2 cups of long-grain rice, 1 large onion (diced), 2 bell peppers (diced), 2 cups of diced tomatoes, 3 cloves of garlic (minced), 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of curry powder, 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice level), 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon of dried rosemary, 1 bay leaf, 4 cups of vegetable broth, 2 tablespoons of oil (for sautéing), salt and pepper to taste.

2

Sauté the Aromatics

In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and bell peppers, and sauté until they are softened and lightly browned. This should take around 5-7 minutes.

3

Add the Flavorful Spices

Once the onions and bell peppers are cooked, add the minced garlic, tomato paste, smoked paprika, ground cumin, curry powder, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir well to coat the vegetables and let the spices bloom for a minute or two.

4

Simmer the Rice

Next, add the diced tomatoes to the pot and cook for another 2-3 minutes to soften them. Then, pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the rice and season with salt and pepper to taste.

5

Let it Cook

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and let the rice simmer for 15-20 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Avoid the temptation to peek while it's cooking!

6

Fluff and Serve

Once the rice is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for a few minutes. Then, remove the bay leaf and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve your vegetarian Jollof Rice hot and garnish with fresh herbs if desired.