Ghanaian fried rice is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines rice with a variety of vegetables and spices. Here’s a basic recipe for making Ghanaian fried rice:
Ingredients:
2 cups long-grain parboiled rice 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon grated ginger 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 carrot, diced 1 cup frozen peas 1 cup cooked and diced chicken, shrimp, or tofu (optional) 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon curry powder 1/2 teaspoon thyme 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) Salt and black pepper to taste 2-3 tablespoons chicken or vegetable broth Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Cook the rice:
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
- Add the rice and a pinch of salt.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.
- Once cooked, remove the rice from the heat, fluff it with a fork, and let it cool completely. It’s best to use cold, leftover rice for fried rice.
- Prepare the vegetables and protein:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger. Sauté for a few minutes until fragrant and the onion becomes translucent.
- Add the diced bell peppers, carrots, and frozen peas. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
- If you’re using chicken, shrimp, or tofu, add it to the skillet and stir-fry until it’s cooked through.
- Season the vegetables and protein:
- Sprinkle the soy sauce, curry powder, thyme, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper over the mixture. Stir well to combine and coat the ingredients evenly.
- Add the cooked and cooled rice to the skillet. Stir-fry everything together for about 5-7 minutes, ensuring that the rice is well-mixed with the vegetables and spices.
- If the fried rice seems a bit dry, you can add 2-3 tablespoons of chicken or vegetable broth to moisten it and enhance the flavors.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. You can add more soy sauce, salt, or spices to suit your taste.
- Once everything is heated through and well combined, remove the skillet from the heat.
- Serve the Ghanaian fried rice hot, garnished with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley if desired.
Enjoy your homemade Ghanaian fried rice! You can also customize it by adding other ingredients like cooked eggs, cashews, or raisins if you like.