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Iftar recipe to try at home: Jollof Rice

This smoky, aromatic West African rice recipe is the perfect accompaniment to any meat dish during Iftar.
Serves: 3-4
Ingredients
Large red onion, roughly chopped..
1 Olive oil.................. ....................... 1/4 cup
Large Roma Tomatoes .................... 4
Habanero Pepper (optional........... 1
Garlic........................................... 2 cloves
Ginger ......................................... 1 1/4 inch
Tomato paste .............................3 tbsp
Curry powder................................. 1 tsp
Dried thyme.................................. 1/2 tsp
White pepper ................................. 1 tsp
Bay leaf...................................................... 1
Chicken stock cubes, crushed......4
Long grain rice, rinsed.............2 1/2 cups
Water ..............................................3 cups
Salt .................................................to taste
Method
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with foil and a lid. Cook for another 30 minutes, until the rice is soft and cooked, and the liquid is fully absorbed. Add water if needed.
1. Pulse the onions, tomatoes, garlic, gin- ger and Habanero with 1 cup of water to a smooth mixture. Transfer to a medium bowl.
2. Heat the oil in a medium sized pan over medium heat.
3. Once the oil is simmering, add the tomato paste and cook for about 5 min- utes till it starts to brown, then add curry powder, white pepper, thyme and bay leaf and stir to combine.
4. Add the blended tomato mixture and cook for about 10 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has deepened in colour.
5. Add the rice and remaining water.
Recipe courtesy Gbemi Giwa who runs 'The Gbemi's Kitchen' in Dubai, which serves African inspired healthy food. Follow her on Instagram @gbemigiwa.
Compiled by Mahima Ann Ninan