COOKING OFADA RICE FROM SCRATCH

If there is one food you cannot separate from Nigerians, it is rice. And if there is one spice my tribe (yoruba) can't do without, it is pepper. And to the Yoruba, rice and pepper are like five and six. This recipe I am about to share is mostly popular in Lagos, Nigeria. But over the years, it has transcend from being a street food to a general sensation. You can hardly go to any OWAMBE without having a taste of this spectacular deliciousness. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you OFADA RICE AND AYAMASE SAUCE. Oya let cut to the chase.

PREPTIME: 30 mins. COOKTIME: 1 hour 30 mins. SERVE:3 people.

INGREDIENTS

FOR OFADA RICE

2 cups ofada rice.

3 cups of water

1 teaspoon of salt.

FOR AYAMASE SAUCE

4 large green been peppers (seeded).

10 scotch bonnets peppers.

4 large plum tomatoes.

2 tablespoons dry whole crayfish.

1 tablespoon locust beans (iru).

1 full cup[ of red palm oil.

1 large sized bulb onion.

2 hard boiled eggs (optional).

400 grams meat or fish.

2 knorr classic seasoning cubes.

1 teaspoons of salt.

HOW TO COOK OFADA RICE.

1. Pour the three cups of water in a dutch oven of pot and set on fire. Carefully pick any stone or debris from the rice (because you mostly see the locally produced ofada rice in Nigeria).

2. Wash the rice very well or until the water comes out clean. pour the rice into the pot containing water, add the salt, cover the pot and allow to cook on medium heat for 20 minutes.

3. After twenty minutes, check for doneness of the rice. Allow the water to dry out then remove from heat.

NOTE: THERE MAY LIKELY BE DISPARITIES IN THE TIMING AND QUANTITY OF THE RICE DUE TO DIFFERENCE IN HEAT INTENSITY, TYPE OF POT, QUANTITY OF WATER OR WEATHER. SO DO WELL TO ADD MORE WATER WHEN NECESSARY OR EVEN PARBOIL IT THE WAY YOU PARBOIL YOUR RICE.

HOW TO COOK AYAMASE SAUCE.

1. Blend the tomatoes, peppers and onions to puree in a blender.

2. Place a pot on heat and pour in the pot. Let it heat up to smoking point and pour in your pureed tomatoes mixture. Let it cook for 5 minutes.

3. Add the locust beans, crayfish, seasoning cubes and keep frying for 10 minutes.

4. Now add the meats, fish, shelled boiled eggs and salt. Let it fry for 3 to 5 minutes more.

5. remove from heat and serve alongside the ofada rice and dodo.