Rice is a favorite staple food in Africa. It’s taste, availability and instant energy makes it a main dish in most homes. Unlike cassava which goes through a lot of processing, rice is easy to process and relatively quick to prepare.
There are different ways to prepare and eat rice. In this article, we will look at ten most popular rice dishes in Africa. These rice dishes are tasty and cut across different African countries.
Jollof Rice
Jollof rice originated from the Wolof people in Senegal and the Gambia and is the most debatable African dish when it comes to origins. Of course, the great Jollof debate between Nigerians and Ghanaians is not a hidden matter. Nigerians and Ghanaians can’t seem to agree on whose Jollof rice tastes better. Nigerian Jollof rice is made from long grain parboiled rice, tomatoes, tomato paste, pepper and onions. Ghanaian Jollof rice is made from basmati rice and lots of chili peppers which makes it spicier than Nigerian Jollof. Jollof Rice is considered the most popular African dish outside the continent. And of course it should be. It is tasty, spicy and quick to prepare.
White Rice
White rice is a common dish eaten with different types of sauces, soups and stews. In most African countries, white rice is usually eaten with tomato stew. Other side dishes include; chicken sauce, vegetable sauce, and local dishes like ofada sauce, pepper soup, ofe nsala and ofe akwu, also known as palm nut soup.
Biyarni
This rice dish is native to Kenya. Historically, Biyarni is said to have originated from Asia. It was brought to East Africa by Arab traders. Made from basmati rice, Biyarni is a delicious dish. Other key ingredients include spices, yoghurt, coriander, cinnamon and cardamoms.
Palm Oil Rice
Palm oil rice is fondly called concoction rice in Nigeria. This is because the dish is prepared by putting all the ingredients at once into the rice. This spicy dish is made with palm oil and all sorts of assorted fish, meat and peppers. Local spices are commonly used in place of seasoning cubes, curry and thyme. Common spices are locust bean, oil bean seed and uziza seeds.
Yellow Rice
Yellow rice is native to South Africa. Like palm oil rice, yellow rice is quick to prepare because all the ingredients are instantly placed into the rice and allowed to cook. Important ingredients for this dish include: onion, olive oil, turmeric, garlic powder, black pepper and salt. Yellow Rice can be eaten as a main dish or with gravy.
Fried Rice
Fried rice is a popular dish in Nigeria. Originally a Chinese dish, Fried rice is considered a party dish for celebrations and festivities in Nigeria. This dish is a rice and vegetable stir fry made with parboiled rice and an assortment of vegetables, chicken, and bits of cow kidney or liver.
Tuwo Shinkafa
This is a rice pudding dish made in the northern part of Nigeria. Tuwo Shinkafa is a main dish served hot with soups. Tuwo is made from rice flour and its light fluffy texture can be substituted for other heavier swallows like eba, fufu, pounded yam and amala. In Northern Nigeria, Tuwo is commonly eaten with Miyan Kuka, a soup made of powdered baobab leaves and dried okra.
Mupunga Une Dovi
Also known as peanut butter rice, mupunga une dovi is native to Zimbabwe. Peanut butter rice is best cooked with basmati rice and is served as a main dish with stews and sauces. Mupunga une dovi can also be eaten as a single dish.
Nigerian Coconut Rice
Nigerian coconut rice is another festive dish eaten commonly in West Africa, particularly Nigeria. Originally from Asia, Nigerians have successfully created their own version of coconut rice using coconut milk instead of water. Nigerian coconut rice is eaten with different types of meat, fish, plantain and salad. This is a delicious dish with a tropical taste.
Waakye
Waakye is native to Ghana. This is tasty dish of rice and beans is usually eaten with Ghanaian pepper sauce, fried fish and beef. Sometimes, it can be eaten with spaghetti, vegetable salad or kelewele (fried plantain). Kidney beans or black eyed peas are types of beans used to prepare this dish. Waakye is commonly eaten for lunch or dinner.
These ten most popular rice dishes in Africa are not only delicious but also nutritious. We encourage you to select a rice dish you’ve not tasted before and give it a try. This is a great way to appreciate the cultural values of other countries.
PALM OIL RICE (IWUK EDESI)
Palm oil rice (Iwuk Edesi), delicious rice recipe that is perfect for the whole family and great for entertaining. Palm oil rice is also called native jollof rice
PALM OIL RICE
I have just had an eventful 48 hours; 3 hours of it was me dancing away my sorrows like I have no worries in the world and the last 24 hours of that time was me thinking about how dubious and rude some people can be. The bottom line of the last 24 hours for me is to beware of people one opens his/her doors to and if you are going to leave your keys with them, make sure you have a spare/ backup somewhere. For people that have been taken for granted for being too nice and open-minded, I urge you to continue with your good deeds and never let the experience you’ve had deterred you from being your good self.
Back to my palm oil rice (also called native jollof rice), Iwuk edesi is your go-to rice when you are tired of eating Jollof and fried rice and even our plain white rice. I remember eating palm oil rice while growing up, I love the simplicity of the food and it is one food that brings everyone together as it doesn’t show class and so you don’t have to be ashamed if your mum serves you rice with palm oil. In fact, I remember asking my mother for concoction rice after getting bored with the other types. My Cousin’s wife made palm oil rice for me a lot too and she’s the one that made me like that type of fish we Yoruba’s call ‘sobonde’(herring). My herring fish story is for another day where I’ll be sharing how to make the best herring imoyo stew. Let’s get cooking guys
INGREDIENTS IN MY NATIVE JOLLOF
2 cups of rice
Pepper mix (tatashe(Red bell pepper), ata rodo (scotch bonnet chilli), tomato and onions blended)
Smoked fish of any type
1-2 cooking spoons of palm oil
1 small onion, chopped
3tbsp ground crayfish
Few pieces of dried sardine (palamu) optional
Salt
Seasoning
Scent leaves substitute with basil
1-2 handfuls of any greens of choice, I used spinach
Feel free to add locust beans to the ingredient used but I didn’t use it
HOW TO MAKE PALM OIL RICE
Wash rice and set aside, if you want to parboil the rice, you can do so.
Wash and soak your dried fish then set aside and you don’t need to soak the smoked fish
Place a pan medium heat, add palm oil and heat for about 5 minutes but don’t bleach
Add chopped onions and fry till translucent, add the pepper mix and crayfish, seasoning and salt and cook till oil floats on top of the sauce.
Add rice to the sauce and stir to combine, add water to cover the rice by 1 inch and reduce the heat. Do keep an eye on the rice, add water if required. After about 7 minutes, add the dried fish to the rice
Cook rice on low heat till 95% done, (Add water to rice a little at a time as at when needed) check for salt and seasoning, add the smoked fish and stir carefully to combine. Cook for another 5 minutes then add basil (Scent leaves) and your greens of choice to rice. Continue cooking till rice is soft but not soggy. Take it off the heat and set aside to cool.
Serve palm oil rice with any sides of choice. Enjoy and have a good week ahead. xxx
Courtesy ——- www.myactivekichen.com
