By DENNIS DA-ALA MIRILLA
Is it even Christmas if Jollof rice isn’t the main dish? Uh, we think not (and you can take that to the bank).
The anti-Christmas Jollof campaigners in their bit at treason have yet again used outrageous, even slanderous adjectives to qualify Jollof, calling it everything from “boring” to “old,” to “uninviting,” neither of which to set the record straight is true. But for us, who still appreciate and recognise the cultural phenomenon that Jollof rice as Christmas lunch is, this might be a time to − how do we put this in a way that doesn’t come offensive, because we recognise that these recipes have been passed down from generation to generation, mother to daughter, father to son − spice it up a bit? Jollof rice holds a sacred place in Nigerian households that must not be riffled with. The story is told of two siblings who fought over who cooks the best party jollof. No, this may not have happened in your house.
In this age of endless scrolling and flipping, if you’re looking to cause a pause this season with your Jollof Instagram pic, then you’re in luck. There are many ways to spice up your Jollof even the Christmas lunch Jollof. Be it Jollof itself or Jollof adjacent dishes, the trick is to go for something that is anything but basic. Jollof that has Ph.D. for the win.
This might be the time to try out that recipe from a previous issue of this magazine. It may or may not have that Chef Fregs look, but it’s anything but basic.
Below, the five types of jollof rice and jollof adjacent rice dishes we recommend.
Suya Jollof Rice
Thanks to innovation, we have the suya jollof rice. It’s basically your regular party jollof rice, except suya and suya pepper has been added, making it more peppery and taking a darker Jollof shade than your average party jollof rice. If you’re into hot sauce or extra pepper, then this is for you.
Jambalaya Rice
The jambalaya rice is another Jollof adjacent rice that is easy to make, but not the average Christmas meal. The origin of the jambalaya rice have been long contested. It’s that much of a big deal. It includes much more vegetables and will surely make the perfect Christmas lunch post on Instagram. Why not let them know, haters and foe alike, how great your Christmas is going?
Oven-Baked Jollof Rice
You can say we’re living in the age of the oven-baked jollof rice. From Sisi Yemmie to your favourite aunt, you know, the ones with the red hair, oven-baked jollof rice has been the trend all year. If you’re looking for a new experience, looking to revive that Christmas groove, then give the oven-baked jollof rice a shot this holiday season.
Sea Food Jollof Rice
To be honest, nothing beats a good seafood anything, any day, quote us on that. From seafood okra to seafood shawarma, it could be said that with the rise of the Instagram food vendors, we have been ushered into the golden age of sea food. But the gospel has only recently reached the Jollof rice sphere. Tell your neighbour or that colleague or whoever your frenemy might be that you had seafood jollof rice for Christmas and watch them green with envy. Major goals!
Basmati Jollof Rice
Basmati jollof rice. Photo Sisi Jemimah
It is at this point safe to call it the good old basmati jollof rice. Break away from tradition and make the basmati Jollof rice this year. The basmati Jollof has been quite a nuisance over the years smuggling itself unto the menus of major restaurant and fast-food chains, whatever name they might choose to give it. But that is the appeal of the Jollof and more so the Christmas Jollof, its ubiquitousness.
