Rice is a staple in most Nigerian homes. Even though it is Sunday lunch it is also a celebratory meal. Weddings, child dedication, birthday, Christmas, Easter and Sallah celebrations are incomplete without it. Little wonder people of all class, religion and age group love this food.
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Rice is prepared in many ways. Each of these rice delicacies is so wonderfully different and delicious that one usually has a hard time choosing a favourite. Today, we will look briefly at some of these rice dishes. Feel free to check them out at your leisure and if you haven’t tried any out, then you should definitely do so.
Jollof Rice
Great British Chefs
This flavourful dish is a classic. The rice is cooked in tomato-based broth, a recipe that’s popular not just in Nigeria but also in Cameroon, Togo, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
In fact, Jollof Rice is the most popular rice dish in Nigeria; it features prominently at ceremonial events. There are different ways to prepare this delicacy but the party Jollof version takes the cake.
Concoction Rice
The Guardian NG
This rice is also known as the palm oil rice, iwuk edesi or native Jollof rice. It is a very traditional food. The ingredients used in preparing it to include fermented locust bean, palm oil, smoked fish, and scent leaves. Definitely, these are not the ingredients used in making the typical Jollof rice.
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Fried Rice
Food 52
This Chinese rice was adopted by Nigerians and modified to suit the Nigerian style and taste. Fried Rice doesn’t show up often on the menu at home but when it does, the level of anticipation is mad oh!
It’s prepared with an assortment of vegetables, customized to the taste of the cook. Green beans, for instance, can be swapped for peas and liver for minced meat. Fried rice can be enjoyed on its own and it can also be served with fried plantain and salad.
Rice and Beans
Nigerian Food TV
Whenever these two staples are made into Jollof, the taste is epic. This meal can be cooked plain or as Jollof; but the Jollof version is more popular.
Jollof rice and beans are often made with the same ingredients as Jollof rice. In fact, a lot of people who can’t stomach beans porridge go ga ga when they are served rice and beans. So, if you are having friends over for a lunch or dinner date and you’re looking for the winning dish, prepare this food for them.
Coconut Rice
The Pretend Chef
At a glance, this food will pass for Jollof. But the difference is in the aroma and the taste. Coconut rice is prepared by cooking white rice in coconut milk, tomatoes and spices. This meal is delicious. You should consider making it for your friends.
White Rice
OBAAPA
White rice is usually paired with any of the wide varieties of stews and sauces that are popular in Nigeria. Tomato stew, gravy sauce, banga stew, pepper stew, and efo riro are some great accompaniments to white rice.
Masa
1qfoodplatter.com
This food is different from all the other rice dishes. Masa is a Northern Nigerian delicacy. It looks like pancake but it’s basically rice that’s blended to a creamy consistency. Masa is fried in a masa pan with minimal oil. It can then be drizzled with honey and enjoyed in its own or served with stew or suya.
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