Wow, today is Jollof Rice Day.

August 22 is celebrated as a day in which the uniqueness of Jollof Rice is showcased and the doors of foodies, especially African and West African foodies are opened to welcome all kinds of jollof rice.

This is annual Jollof Rice celebration runs across the black continent and of course, the most populous black nation, Nigeria, is not left out.

This year’s celebration is not without funfair, even as we still grapple with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the globe.

Many foodies will prepare this meal at home and relish the delight of this rouge delicacy with family members and friends.

Jollof rice is a spiced dish, that is cooked in different ways, but the important note is that this delicacy is simmered in red tomatoes, which is usually fresh and pureed mixed together to get a great meal.

The likes of onions, assorted peppers, and different seasonings depending on where it’s made from are added to produce what I choose to call an iconic delicacy.

This meal is a staple that most celebratory social gatherings and parties cannot do without. From birthdays, to wedding ceremonies as well as burials, and christening of babies, coronations and so many other activities that require food, Jollof rice is known to be the food most people will eat.

No wonder we have the term— PARTY JOLLOF RICE. If you are in doubt, ask any Nigerian who resides in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja or any happening city in the most populous black nation of the earth.

This dark-orange spicy rice dish can be eaten alone by itself, but it can also be enjoyed alongside miomoi, fried meat or fish, cole slaw salad or any other vegetable salad and of course, fried plantains.

The most common basic ingredients for jollof rice are rice, vegetable oil, seasonings, fresh red tomatoes and tomato paste, onions, salt, and red pepper amongst others. The inclusion of bay leaves creates lovely aroma, flavour and excellent taste for Jollof foodies.

Jollof rice is also called Benachin. It is a very popular dish in many  West African countries like Ghana, The Gambia, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Togo, Senegal and Mali.

Since today is Jollof Rice Day, kindly remember to prepare sumptuous jollof rice and post your recipe, your picture as well as your food picture to the gourmet guide Instagram page @gourmetguide234 kitchen or to this WhatsApp number – 08034973455. Also, remember to drop your Instagram handle.

Let’s see the way you choose to relish jollof rice, who knows, we could adopt your method.

Jollof fact file

• This delicacy was originally from the Wolof tribe which cuts across the Gambia and Senegal.
• Jollof rice cuisine used to be a fish-based recipe, but, it is now acceptable and seen as normal to find jollof rice as an egg base, a meat-base and even a chicken garnished food.
• The Wolof rice which is now known as jollof rice years ago was not eaten as a morning meal but used to be enjoyed as an evening meal.
• The major ingredients for this food are the tomato puree, fresh tomato and its sauce which gives the rice its redness.
• Many foodies use bay leaves to spice up the ingredients used for the preparation of jollof rice.
• The bottom of the jollof rice pot is more delicious compared to the top.
• Homemade Jollof is not as delicious as the party made jollof rice because most times, it is over-spiced with lots of condiments.
• Jollof rice is better eaten when hot, I mean steaming hot.

So, lets see your pictures … Happy Jollof Rice Day.