Jollof rice and beans can be a very tricky dish to make. Unlike our good old jollof rice, it is not a favorite to many. Don’t despair yet, it can really be delicious if made properly. I would be sharing the two ways I make jollof rice and beans. That way you can decide which method you prefer.
Growing up, I wasn’t a big fan of jollof rice and beans so I can understand how many people are indifferent towards it. I actually prefer Rice and beans cooked separately and devoured with stew.
But Since this blog is all about showcasing African food with a partial focus on Nigerian food who am I not to present this dish that is a staple in most homes in Nigeria.
My policy is to try and find ways to make food delicious so if you are not a fan of a particular dish, please don’t give up until you try my version ???
The two methods for making this dish I would share with you today is different from the method I grew up with. When it comes to cooking everyone develops their own style and as life progresses armed with keen interest and practice, you can become an excellent cook even if you didn’t start out as one. Method one is more like a stewed version similar to jollof rice, while Method two is similar to the way I make my beans porridge. Here is the way I learnt to cook it while growing up, you start with the bean, cook with onions and seasoning till it’s almost done then add the rice and palm oil and let the rice cook in the beans. It tasted nice then but it still wasn’t my favorite. Because it could be a hit and miss.. lol Sometimes the rice would be too soggy or the beans would be too soggy too.
Like I said if you are passionate about cooking, with practice you can develop your own style. Because al dente is my thing, I don’t like mushy jollof rice and beans.
Cooking it either way I find keeps the rice and beans intact and doesn’t compromise flavour. In fact I would say it is rich in flavor because the seasoning comes in at the end. Just try and see. But please do tell…
Jollof rice and beans still isn’t my favorite to date but I enjoy it any time I make it. What is the joy of food if you don’t enjoy it and wish it doesn’t finish while you are eating it hahaha?
The two recipes would be below. Enjoy.
Chichi?
PIN FOR LATER
Jollof Rice and Beans.
Ingredients
- 1-1/4 Cup Black eyed peas or honey beans ( dirt removed, washed and drained)
- 1 Cup parboiled long grain rice (washed and drained)
- 1 large red bell pepper
- 2 small tomatoes
- 2 medium onions ( red one recommended)
- 8 cups water
- ½ cup cooking oil (not palm oil)
- salt or bouillon to taste
Instructions
- Place beans in a pot, add 8 cups of water and begin to cook. When beans has cooked for about 30 mins, add half of the chopped onions into the beans, then add bouillon powder to taste.
- Begin to cook rice in a separate pot. Cook till its done. Don't cook till it becomes mushy. it needs to be Al dente
- Blend bell pepper, tomatoes, habanero pepper and one onion and set aside
- In a saucepan heat up oil, stir in the remainder of chopped onions. Stir until softened and translucent.
- Pour in the blended pepper mix, cook till reduced in size. Takes about 45 mins. Turn off heat while you wait for the beans to get cooked
- When the beans is ready, mix the sauce, rice and beans together.
- Add in about a 1/4 cup of water stir in, taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly.
- Place pot over medium low heat and allow to simmer for about 2 minutes. then stir and turn off heat.Serve warm
Product of method 1
- This how this method looks
Product of method 2
- This is how this looks
Notes
Method 2:
The second method of making this dish has the same procedure with the first method but with a slight difference in the ingredient list. In the second method, swap the fresh tomatoes and red bell pepper with tomato paste. you also swap the vegetable oil in method one with Palm oil. Believe me these slight changes make this dish taste different and equally delicious. There is also a tiny change in the nutritional info as indicated below.
Nutrition
I want to try jollof rice with plaintains!
By the way your food photography is amazing
Aww. Thanks Victoria. ?
Jollof rice is one of my best meals and I love it with ripe plantains too. Your presentation is top! I love it.
Thanks Apolline ?
You make these dishes seem relatively easy to make. I am not a great chef but I think I will give it a try. I love how beautiful your food looks too.
Thanks so much Debby. Do give it a try?
One of my best friends in NIgerian and I always beg her to make jollof rice for me! I don’t know why I’ve never thought to have her teach me how to make it. Well guess what, I don’t need her to anymore. I am definitely going to give this recipe a try!
I am a vegetarian and that looks delicious!!! I love the presentation too.
❥ tanvii.com
Thanks Tanvi
I love the fact that it’s vegan! That way I can try it. Seems like a great side dish (or main dish for me). Thanks for sharing! I will pin it so I can come back to it.
Yea! Nigerians are unapologetic ‘omnivores’ ?.. now I am trying to put up vegan recipes for my vegan readers. Thanks for pinning and for visiting. I appreciate it ?
I think I have eaten something like this in Nigeria. It looks so good! I like my rice al dente too. Jollof rice and beans for the win!
Thanks so much precious ❤️
Nice to know you have been in Nigeria. How long were you there for? I hope to visit Cameroon someday?
This JOLLOF RICE looks alot like the rice and peas my mom makes here in Jamaica. I appreciate you sharing this recipe. I cant wait to try it.
Yeah lots of Jamaican foods are similar with ours. Thanks for visiting ?
I have never tried this dish or anything similar but it looks and sounds delicious. I also love how you have shared 2 ways of making it too. i struggle sometime following recipes so being able to choose which works best for me is ace. thanks
You are welcome Jaime. Would love if you tried it when you get the chance. Thanks for visiting ?
Wow. Can’t wait to try this. Looks so nice and appetizing. Thanks for sharing your two methods. I don’t recall eating this dish much while growing up probably didn’t care for it much. But would give my feedback when I do try it. Btw. My husband loved the white rice with veggies and so did my children. They loved the pop of color. Thanks again.
You are welcome Lola. Thanks for giving your feedback about the white rice with veggies. I am glad your family loved it. Thanks also for always taking out time to comment. I appreciate it. Have a blessed weekend. Cheers