Rice and Beans Jollof is a tomato stew-based rice and bean dish. The addition of beans makes it nutritionally richer than plain jollof rice. Making it is not as simple as making Nigerian jollof rice, Let’s learn more about different ways and how to make rice and beans 

Cooking Jollof Rice and Beans: Frying Method

• Place a clean cooking pot over the fire.

• Heat it until dry and clear of water droplets.

• Verify that the fire or heat level is low.

• Add vegetable oil to the pot (do not bleach it).

• Add blended tomatoes and pepper.

• Add dry seasonings (bouillon cubes, thyme, curry, and nutmeg powder).

• Stir for 1–2 minutes.

• Add 6 cups of water (about 1½ litre).

• Add the water from the parboiled fish.

• Add your washed bean to the water.

• Allow it to cook for 20 minutes.

• Check the water level; it should be three inches above the cooked beans level.

• Wash the rice twice.

• Add the rice to the pot.

• Allow 20 minutes to cook.

• If you want to add veggies, do so halfway through the 20-minute cooking time.

• Check the water level.

• Taste the rice to determine how cooked it is.

• If the rice is cooked, add the parboiled fish.

• Stir the entire meal.

• Taste for salty.

• If the salt is fine, the rice is ready, and the dish is dry from extra water,

• Simmer for no more than a minute after adding the onions (sliced or diced).

• Turn the fire off.

• Allow to cool and then serve hot.

Time to cook: 45-50 minutes.

Cooking Jollof Rice and Beans: The Boiling Method

Frying carries health risks, including the inclusion of trans fats from frying oils. The remedy, therefore, is to boil your food. Here’s how to make jollof rice and beans using the boiling method.

• Set a clean pot on fire.

• Fill the pot with 6 cups (1.5 litres) of water. Add 10-12 cl of water.

• Let them boil together for 10 minutes (the timer starts when the boiling begins).

• Add the washed beans to the water.

• Add salt and all other ingredients (except onions).

• Cook for twenty minutes.

• Wash the rice twice, if feasible.

• Add the washed rice to the fire.

• Stir the ingredients well.

• Add the parboiled fish or meat water to the pot.

• Check the water level and adjust as needed. Aim for 3 inches above the rice level.

• If you’re using uncooked fish, this is the time to add it to the saucepan.

• Cook for twenty minutes.

• Periodically check the water level. And top up accordingly.

• Check for saltiness. (Be wary of using too much salt. If there are enough herbs and spices, use minimum salt.

• If the food is thoroughly cooked, add sliced onions.

• Wait for no longer than 60 seconds.

• Stir (very optional).

• Turn off the heat, and allow the pot 

Additional Tips 

Always start with a modest amount of water and top it off as it dries. Do not attempt to guess the whole amount of water from the start; otherwise, the meal will become overly soft and sticky. Taste for salt soon after adding the rice. 

Even when the rice tastes uncooked, you can detect the salt level, and if it is excessive, add it to the rice measurement to lower the overall saltiness. Before adding rice, the beans should be half-cooked or practically done.