Vegan Jollof Rice

Embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the vibrant flavors of West African cuisine with our Vegan Jollof Rice recipe. This iconic dish encapsulates the essence of traditional Jollof Rice while embracing a compassionate twist by using plant-based ingredients. Get ready to savor the rich aroma, lively colors, and irresistible taste of this delectable creation that pays homage to heritage and health alike.

by Jaena Moynihan

@jaenalovesplants

Indulge in the aromatic delights of Vegan Jollof Rice, a flavorful blend of parboiled rice, tomato sauce, vibrant vegetables, and a medley of spices, perfectly capturing the essence of West African cuisine in a compassionate plant-based dish.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Side Dish

Cuisine African

Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 cups long-grain parboiled rice
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 1 green bell pepper diced
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger grated
• 1 cup mixed vegetables carrots, peas, corn
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon vegetable bouillon or seasoning cube
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Salt to taste
• 3 cups vegetable broth or water
• Fresh cilantro or parsley chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

 

Prepare the Rice

• Wash the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for about 30 minutes, then drain.
  2 cups long-grain parboiled rice

Blend the Tomato Sauce

• In a blender, combine the tomato puree, red bell pepper, half of the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger. Blend until you have a smooth sauce.
  1 cup tomato puree, 1 onion, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1 red bell pepper

Cook the Sauce

• In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the remaining chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
  3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Add the blended tomato sauce and cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and the oil starts to separate.

Add Spices

• Add paprika, thyme, curry powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, and vegetable bouillon or seasoning cube. Stir well to combine and let the spices cook for a couple of minutes.
  1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon curry powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon ground turmeric, 1 teaspoon vegetable bouillon or seasoning cube, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Add Vegetables

• Stir in the mixed vegetables and diced green bell pepper. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  1 cup mixed vegetables, 1 green bell pepper

Add Rice

• Add the soaked and drained rice to the pot, stirring gently to coat the rice with the tomato sauce and spices.

Add Broth/Water

• Pour in the vegetable broth or water and season with salt to taste. Stir well to combine.
  Salt to taste, 3 cups vegetable broth or water

Cook the Rice

• Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and let the rice simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the liquid has been absorbed. Avoid stirring the rice too much to prevent it from becoming mushy.

Steam the Rice

• Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for an additional 10 minutes. This will allow the rice to steam and fluff up.

Serve

• Gently fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains. Transfer the vegan jollof rice to a serving dish and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley.
  Fresh cilantro or parsley

Enjoy

• Serve the flavorful vegan jollof rice as a main dish or side dish. It pairs well with plant-based proteins, salads, or sautéed greens.

Keyword african jollof rice, jollof rice, vegan african jollof rice, vegan jollof rice

Tried this recipe?Mention @vkindapp or tag #vkindapp!