Nigerian Party Rice: Wood Fired Jollof Rice

Origin: African, Nigerian

Method: Grill, Smoker, Open Fire

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Party Rice takes one of the most iconic African dishes, Jollof Rice, and takes it to a whole new smoky, delicious level by cooking the rice over an open flame or grill. This dish is often a meal in itself, especially when cooked with the protein of your choice. For this recipe we are providing a base recipe that can be used as a side or a main attraction. To make it more of a main course just add chunked chicken, beef or lamb.

Most African countries have their own version of Jollof Rice and Party Rice with small differences and variations. Our favorite thus far has been the Nigerian Party Rice, and that is the basis for our recipe here. Nigerian Jollof uses a sturdier long grain rice, that serves as a perfect vessel to soak up all of the wonderful flavors of the dish.

Breeo with an Outpost Cooking System

For this recipe we are using our Breeo fire pit with an Outpost Cooking system. We love that this gives us the ability to cook the dish over an open flame, just like it would traditionally be cooked in Nigeria. Similar to its competitor, the Solo Stove, the Breeo is a “Smokeless Fire Pit.” What sets this apart in our opinion is the ability to cook over (or in some cases, directly on) the fire pit. We also appreciate the fact that Breeo is an American company, so the pits are made in the U.S. Note: I have not received any compensation for recommending Breeo. I am just a satisfied customer.

If you are interested in learning more about Breeo products you can check them out here. If you are looking for more great dishes to cook on your Breeo or over an open fire, be sure to check out our recipes for Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip or give our Picanha recipe a go.

This recipe can also be easily prepared on a grill, or even on a stovetop (though you will be missing out on some of that great wood fire flavor, and then technically it is not party rice).

Making the Nigerian Party Rice

Gathering your ingredients

The base flavoring of this dish consists of tomatoes, red onions, sweet peppers, and scotch bonnet peppers. For substitutions, you can use 2 bell peppers to replace the 4 sweet peppers, or an equal amount of habanero peppers to replace the scotch bonnets.

A high quality chicken stock, long grain rice, and a Caribbean or African curry powder are also needed. If you can not find Caribbean curry powder try to find a curry powder using turmeric as a primary ingredient (it will be more yellow/orange). You can also purchase it on Amazon. Try to avoid red curry powders if possible.

Prepare the tomato mixture

In a blender or food processor, add the tomatoes, sliced onions, scotch bonnet, and sweet peppers. Blend together until smooth. Set aside for use later.

Cooking the Wood Fired Jollof Rice

Palm oil is traditionally used to make Party Rice and can typically be found in Asian or African markets. . Palm oil is produced from the fruit of oil palm trees. For quite awhile it had become the subject of deforestation concerns. Thankfully today concerns are starting to be addressed and more sustainable palm oil is being produced. If you can not find palm oil, or object to its use, replace with a neutral oil with a high smoke point such as avocado oil

Heat the oil in a cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Sauté the diced onions until soft.

Once the onions are softened add in the garlic and cook for about 1 minute.

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. You do not want the paste to burn but the paste may darken and the oil should begin to separate out.

Next add in the blended onion-pepper mixture, followed by the spices and salt. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

The mixture will thicken during this process.

Rinse your rice before cooking

While the mixture is cooking, rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes the surface starch which well help prevent your rice from becoming gummy. It also helps the rice cook more evenly, so you get a fluffier rice.

Add the rice to the cooked sauce and stir well to combine.

The rice should be evenly coated in the flavorful sauce mixture.

Simmer and Finish the Party Rice

Next add in the chicken stock and stir. Reduce the heat to a simmer, by moving the pan further from the flame.

Cover the rice with foil and cook for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes remove the foil, stir the rice, and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

Serve warm with peri peri chicken, sosaties, grilled plantains, or your favorite African dish.

In the mood for a sweeter rice then check out this Caribbean Rice and Beans recipe.

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