There are different types of delicacies that people eat during christmas with different methods of preparation, writes OLOLADE ALABI.
JOLLOF RICE
Jollof rice is one of the most common dishes in western Africa, consumed throughout the region in countries like Ghana, Senegal, Gambia, and Nigeria. In Nigeria jollof rice is one of the foods prepared at parties. It is one of the most simple and the easiest foods to make whether at home, eatries or parties. Usually, party jollof rice is more delicious with added smokey burnt flavour. There are different recipes for jollof rice and they all depend on which country you are from. Below are the recipes for Nigerian jollof rice.
INGREDIENTS
-4 cups of rice [depending on consumption]
-2 kg of chicken, beef or meat
-1 cup of crayfish
-1 liter of ground fresh tomatoes
-40 to 100ml ground fresh peppers
-spices; curry, thyme, delice or Nutmeg
-maggi
-2 bulbs of onions
-20 to 30 cl vegetable or groundnut oil
– Salt.
PREPARATION OF JOLLOF RICE
-parboil a chicken, meat or beef with the spices, then prepare the main food with the meat extract and meat water. Add water so that more than half of the entire chicken or meat is submerged, then add sliced 1 bulb of onions, 3 cubes of maggi, 1 teaspoon of salt and little curry, thyme.
-parboil the rice, boil about 3 cups of water, then add the rice and allow it to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Then pour out and wash thoroughly with clean water, then set aside in a bowl or plastic sieve.
-bring out an empty pot, add the onions to the hot oil then the grounded tomatoes, pepper for a minute.
– divide the tomatoes, then start cooking. Add 1 or 2 cups of water and the spices, then stir.
-spice to your taste with your desired flavors and spices, and then add the rice. Add the other half of the fried tomatoes after cooking for 10 to 15 minutes. Then add the slice onions and spray at the top
– Then cook till the rice is soft for consumption
-enjoy your meal with chilled drink.
Coconut rice
Coconut rice is a dish prepared by soaking white rice in coconut milk or cooking it with coconut flakes. Coconut rice is one of the most delicious rice meals in Nigeria; this rice is another tasty rice recipe, a good alternative to jollof rice. It is made with a combination of coconut milk extract and spices. As both the coconut and the rice-plant are commonly found in the tropics all-around the world, coconut rice too is found in many cultures throughout the world.
INGREDIENTS
-500g parboiled rice
150ml tomato stew or paste
-100ml coconut milk [sequzzed milk]
-1 medium sized onion bulb
-ground crayfish
-maggi
-pepper
-salt
PREPARATION OF COCONUT RICE
-pour in the tomato stew which is already fried, meat, the extracted coconut milk, leave to boil for 5 minutes
– pour in the parboiled rice to the pot; add ground crayfish, maggi, pepper and salt
-cover and leave the rice to cook on medium heat until the liquid in the pot is dried up
-the rice should be properly done when there is no more liquid in the pot.
-serve with the grilled or fried meat.
-enjoy your meal with cold drink.
FRIED RICE
Fried rice is a dish of cooked rice that has been stir fried in a frying pan and is usually mixed with other ingredients such as eggs, vegetables, sea foods or meat. It is often eaten by itself or as an accompaniment to another dish. As an homemade dish, fried rice is typically made with ingredient left-over from other dishes, leading to countless variations. Fried rice is one of the most widely eaten Nigerian foods; it is accepted by almost every Nigerian both at home and in the Diaspora.
INGREDIENTS
-3 cups of cooked rice [depending on consumption]
-2 tablespoon oil
-1 small white onion
-1 cup frozen peas and carrots
-2-3 tablespoon soy sauce
-2 eggs, lightly beaten
-2 tablespoon chopped green onions
HOW TO PREPARE FRIED RICE
-preheat a large skillet or work to medium heat. Pour ground nut oil in the bottom. Add white onion and peas and carrots, then fry until tender.
-slice the onion, peas and carrots to the side, and pour the beaten eggs onto the other side. Using a spatula, scramble the eggs once cooked, mix the eggs with the vegetable mix.
– add the rice to the veggie and egg mixture. Pour the soy sauce on top.- stir fry and fry the rice and veggie mixture until heated through and combined. Add chopped green onions if desired.
-serve and enjoy your meal.
and then