Jollof Rice

Description
Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients

 * 4 cups uncooked rice
 * 1 medium onion, chopped
 * 1 small onion, sliced
 * 5 ripe tomatoes, chopped
 * 3 ripe tomatoes, sliced
 * 3 large red bell peppers, chopped
 * 1 small chile pepper or 1 teaspoon ground chile
 * 2 to 3 cups chicken stock
 * Salt, thyme and curry powder to taste
 * 2 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
 * 1 cup dried shrimp (optional; see note)

Directions

 * 1) Combine the 5 chopped tomatoes, the bell peppers, chile pepper and medium onion and, working in batches, puree together in blender.
 * 2) Set aside.
 * 3) Bring 5 cups of water to a boil, add rice and enough chicken stock (about 2 cups) to cook rice.
 * 4) Add salt to taste. Cook on medium flame till rice is slightly softened, about 10 minutes.
 * 5) While rice is cooking, pour tomato-pepper mixture into saucepan and add butter or vegetable oil, salt, curry powder and thyme to taste.
 * 6) Then add 3 sliced tomatoes, small sliced onion and dried shrimp, if using, to sauce and cook about 6 to 10 minutes.
 * 7) Pour sauce into rice, mix together and simmer until rice is fully cooked, about 10 minutes.
 * 8) Rice should be dry and fluffy when done.