Where do I start with this recipe… I have a lot of stories around this meal. Growing up, I never liked the Nigerian Fried Rice. I felt like there were too many thing going into it. Thinking back now, just like most kids, I didn’t like veggies and that is the main component of the Nigerian Fried Rice, this is why it wasn’t my fav back then.
Bless my mum, since I was so selective with my food, In order not to let me starve, she would keeps some of the ingredients used in making the fried rice aside for me, I will then choose the ones I like from the ingredients and make either fried eggs or noodles instead of the Nigerian fried rice everyone else were eating. Ooh those days, thinking back, I really disliked any rice dish during festive seasons. I just want to eat something different and fun and something I loved.
The key of the Nigerian Fried rice are the veggies. Make sure your veggies are not too wet. If they are wet, pat dry with paper towel or napkin. There is this thing with fried rice that it doesn’t last out of the fridge for too long; It tends to go bad quickly. (My theory behind why it goes bad quickly is that, because of all the mixed veggies in the rice and sometimes, they are not really “fried” dried. While some people don’t fried it at all, they just add the cold veggies to the cooked rice and turn the heat off and let the heat residue from the rice to cook / heat the veggies. The rice around the veggies in the pot will eventually go cold, making the rice cool down unevenly and if it isn’t properly refrigerated, it will eventually go bad. So, be mindful of this.)
Another important point to note while making Nigerian Fried Rice is to make sure you properly seasoned your rice when cooking it. Once you get all the seasoning in, you will not fall into the trap of using too much seasoning and spices when cooking it.
After I left home, I didn’t make this dish at all. Mostly because it wasn’t my favourite dish but over time, I started making it, although it took me a while to perfect it to the way I love it.
This recipe is simple, straightforward and foolproof, easy to make and the result and end product is super delicious. You won’t go back to your old ways of making this dish once you try this recipe.
I hope you enjoy making and eating this recipe as much as I did. Enjoy!
With Love, Bawo!
Nigerian Fried Rice
To Cook the Rice
- 1½ Cup Parboiled Rice (Rinse the rice until the water is clear. Place in a sieve to drain out the excess water)
- 1 TBSP Vegetable oil
- ½ TSP Turmeric Powder
- 1 TSP Salt
- Seasoning cube (To Taste)
- 1½ Cup Stock (vegetable or meat stock) or Water
- 3 TBSP Stock (vegetable or meat stock) or Water (Add this Stock (vegetable or meat stock) or Water to the Stock (vegetable or meat stock) or Water above to cook the rice)
- Pinch of Pepper – About ¼ TSP (Optional – Cayenne Pepper or Black Pepper)
To Make the Fried Rice
- 3 TBSP Vegeatble Oil
- 1 Medium Onion (chopped)
- 1 – 1½ Cup Mixed Vegetables (Such as a combo chopped carrot, Green peas, sweet corn, etc. Pat dry with a paper towel or kitchen nakpin )
- 2 Habanero Pepper (Deseed and chopped – Optional)
- 1 TSP Dried Thyme
- 1 TSP Curry Powder
- 1 TSP Ginger Powder
- 1 TSP Garlic Powder
- Cooked Cow Liver or Shrimp – Optional (Cook cow liver with little water and salt, once cooked chop into small cube )
- Salt and seasoning cube – To Taste, if needed
Cooking The Rice
Place pot on medium heat and allow to heat up. Once it is hot, add the vegetable oil.
Allow to heat up a bit – about 45 secs to 1 min. Then add the turmeric.
Add the drained washed rice.
Stir and add the seasoning cube and salt and stir.
Add the water or stock. Leave the pot uncovered, cook on medium high heat until 90% of the stock or water dries off / evaporates. Then reduce heat to low and cover the pot.
Allow to steamer until all the stock/water totally evaporates / dries off and the rice is fully cooked. Be careful not to overcook the rice. (This should take about 20-30mins, depending on the kind of cooking you are using.)
Remove from heat and set aside.
Frying The Rice
Put a frying pan or wok on medium heat, once it is hot, add the veggetable oil and allow to heat.
Add the chopped onions and sautee until it is slightly translucent.
Add the thyme, curry, ginger powder, garlic powder and stir.
Add the chopped cooked Cow Liver or shrimp and stir (If using any)
Add the Mixed veggies and stir.
Add the chopped habanero pepper if using any and stir
Add salt and seasoning to taste. Stir continuously until the mix is fully coated and dry – No liquid left.
Add the pre-cooked and seasoned rice and stir.
Stir until it is fully coated and everything is properly incorporated
Enjoy with fried or grilled chicken or any kind of protein.
With Love, Bawo!
***The key to getting a great Nigerian fried rice is making sure the rice is properly seasoned when cooking it and that sure the veggies are patted dried before using them.***
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @BawosKitchenJournal and @WithLoveBawo on Instagram and hashtag it #WithLoveBawo & #BawosKitchenJournal.
