Jollof rice , also called Benachin (Wolof: "one pot"), is a one-pot rice dish popular in many West African countries.
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Geographical range and origin
Jollof rice is one of the most common dishes in Western Africa, consumed throughout the regions of Ghana, Senegal, Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Mali. There are several regional variations in name and ingredients, with non-local versions regarded as "inauthentic". The name Jollof rice derives from the name of the Wolof people, though in Senegal and Gambia the dish is referred to in Wolof as theibou dienne or benachin. In French-speaking areas, it is called riz au gras. Despite the variations, the dish is "mutually intelligible" across the region, and has spread along with the diaspora to become the best known African dish outside the continent.
Based on its name, the origins of Jollof rice can be traced to the Senegambian region that was ruled by the Jolof Empire. Food and agriculture historian James C. McCann considers this claim plausible given the popularity of rice in the upper Niger valley, but considers it unlikely that the dish could have spread from Senegal to its current range since such a diffusion is not seen in "linguistic, historical or political patterns". Instead he proposes that the dish spread with the Mali empire, especially the Djula tradespeople who dispersed widely to the regional commercial and urban centers, taking with them economic arts of "blacksmithing, small-scale marketing, and rice agronomy" as well as the religion of Islam.
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Ingredients
The dish consists of rice, tomatoes and tomato paste, onions, salt, spices (such as nutmeg, ginger, and cumin) and chili peppers (such as Scotch bonnet); optional ingredients can be added such as vegetables, meats, or fish. Due to the tomato paste and palm oil, the dish is always red in colour. The recipe differs from one region to another.
Nutrition
The main ingredients of Jollof rice are rice and tomatoes; neither has any saturated fat or cholesterol. Jollof rice contains carbohydrates, primarily from the rice. Since Jollof rice is served with chicken, beef, eggs and/or turkey, the dish is fairly high in protein. Fish is also another alternative to these meats, and can provide the dish with omega-3 fatty acids, as well as some protein. Vegetarians often choose to eat Jollof rice with salad or cole slaw instead of meat, and gain vitamins and minerals. Tomatoes also play a primary role in rice, and provide a good amount of vitamins and minerals.
Presentation
On the event of special occasions such as birthdays, weddings or baby showers, the dish can be presented and served made into shapes, overall a more formal presentation of the dish. As an option, fried plantain can also be placed on top, or beside the Jollof rice, and then various meats are added around the rest of the dish.
Nigerian and Ghanaian debate
There are multiple regions in Africa who debate over the geographical origins of Jollof rice. However, one of the most vigorous Jollof rice rivalries has been between Nigerians and Ghanaians. The main argument in this debate is currently centered on which country's Jollof rice tastes better. The reason for the debate is due to the huge popularity of Jollof rice, in regards to West African cuisine. Both Nigeria and Ghana have shown consistent competitiveness over the debate as to who can serve the dish the best. The debate has gone so far as to even having organized contest shows, in order for famous critics from all over the world to taste, examine the differences, and give their overall judgments on either forms of the dish. Recently, social media has also become a popular tool for people to share pictures, and opinions over who serves the dish the best.
Nigerian Jollof
Although considerable variation exists, the basic profile for Nigerian jollof rice includes long grain parboiled rice, tomatoes and tomato paste, pepper, vegetable oil, onions and stock cubes. Most of the ingredients are cooked in one pot, of which a fried tomato and pepper puree characteristically forms the base. Rice is then added and left to cook in the liquid. The dish is then served with the protein of choice and very often with fried plantains, moi moi, steamed vegetables, coleslaw, salad, etc.
In the riverine areas of Nigeria where seafood is the main source of protein, seafood often takes the place of chicken or meat as the protein of choice and there are variations of the classic jollof rice; including coconut jollof rice, fisherman jollof rice (made with prawns, periwinkles, crayfish), mixed vegetables jollof rice, and rice and beans. More economically friendly versions of jollof rice are popularly referred to among Nigerians as "concoction rice," the preparation of which can involve as little as rice and pepper.
Ghanaian Jollof
Ghanaian Jollof rice is made up of vegetable oil, onion, bell pepper, cloves of pressed garlic, chillies, tomato paste, beef or chicken (some times alternated with mixed vegetables), jasmine or basmati rice and black pepper. The method of cooking Jollof rice begins with first preparing the beef or chicken by seasoning and frying it until it is well cooked The rest of the ingredients are then fried all together, starting from onions, tomatoes and spices in that order. After all the ingredients have been fried, rice is then added and cooked until the meal is prepared. Ghanaian Jollof is typically served with side dishes of beef/chicken/well seasoned and fried fish and/or mixed vegetables.
Ghanaian Jollof is mostly made with long grain perfume rice giving their jollof a rich and mouthwatering sight and a lovely aroma. Jollof in Ghana is also served alongside shito ( a popular type of pepper which originates from Ghana) and salad during parties and other ceremonies. It is also prepared with any protein of choice hence, Ghanaians have variations of Jollof rice such as 'Beef' 'Goat meat' 'Chicken' and 'corned beef' Jollof rice.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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