If you are a fervent reader on Food Sturvs, you most likely have come across my declaration of rice being the most widely eaten dish in the world. I believe that every country, continent, tribe or culture has at least one rice dish to their name.
Knowing this, I like to hop around different cuisines to try out rice dishes from different parts of the world. If this is your vibe too, then let me share with you 8 rice dishes you must try if you haven’t already! Check out this post on some different types of rice.
1. Coulibiac
This rice dish is for those that are puff pastry, fish and rice lovers all in one. It is a delicious Russian dish that is made using mushroom rice, salmon and hard-boiled eggs all encased in puff pastry. It is the salmon version of a beef wellington.
The Russian Coulibiac recipe includes ingredients that are easy to find at your local grocery store. It is a great addition to any feasting table!
2. Diri Djon Djon
This dark coloured rice has to be one of the rice dishes best known to Haitians. Diri djon djon is a simple rice dish but one that possesses an umami flavour. Its dark colour is due to the use of djon djon mushrooms which are popularly grown in Northern Haiti.
Getting the mushrooms proved to be the toughest mission, but I finally laid hands on it through my Haitian friend. This jasmine rice dish can be garnished with your preferred protein if you so choose. I have just the recipe you need here.
3. Thieboudienne
Thieboudienne is pronounced as “che-boo-jen” meaning rice and fish in the Wolof language. It is the national dish of Senegal. Cabbage, egg plant and other root vegetables including cassava and sweet potatoes are cooked in a pepper sauce. This in itself releases a rich taste and mild sweetness to the sauce.
One thing that makes this Senegalese jollof dish stand out is the use of broken rice. It is served alongside well-seasoned and fried tilapia fish.
Sauces to best pair with Rice!
4. Nigerian Jollof Rice
Jollof rice is undoubtedly one of the most famous rice dishes popular to African cuisines. The Nigerian jollof rice is quite similar in to many other kinds in that is made by cooking rice in a rich pepper base. If you didn’t know, I am Nigerian, hence my jollof rice recipe is certainly one of the best on today’s internet.
The type of rice used for this dish is the parboiled long grain rice majorly because it can keep shape despite the long cooking time. This dish involves a few tips and tricks and these I share here. You can never go wrong with a dish as flavourful as Nigerian Jollof rice.
5. Mushroom Rice
This vegan-friendly rice dish is certainly a good way to enjoy a rice dish without anything outside veggies. It is made using jasmine rice which is distinct for its perfumy appeal. It starts off with sauteing mushrooms in melted butter with onions and garlic. The rice is then added in with seasonings of choice and cooked to perfection in vegetable broth.
If you are on a time crunch, even better, mushroom rice is ready in less than 30 minutes!
6. White Rice
Some days, I prefer plain ol’ white rice alongside a sauce or stew. It is the most common way of eating rice seeing as you have the liberty to pair it with your favourite side dish. If you are yet to check out my post on how to achieve perfectly cooked white rice every time, you should!
There are so many stew and sauce options for you to choose from when making white rice such chicken adobo, Mongolian beef, West African red stew, chicken chili etc. Give your white rice dish some character by garnishing with colorful veggies like carrots or sweet corn.
Side dish options
7. Fried Rice
Yes, fried rice is such a popular dish that I believe it is important to note the type of fried rice I am sharing here. It is fried rice, Nigerian style.
I have tried so many types of fried rice and have come to realize just how bland it can be if not cooked right. Nigerians first cook the parboiled long-grain rice in a richly seasoned chicken broth (not store bought) till semi-soft. Then the veggies and protein are seasoned and sauteed separately before being mixed with the rice. Full recipe here!
8. Ghanaian Jollof Rice
You may have tried jollof rice, but if you are yet to try it the Ghanaian way, you are missing out! I am Nigerian true, but I don’t see room for any jollof wars. They are different in taste, aroma and essence.
The key difference is in the type of rice, Ghanaian jollof rice uses jasmine rice. They also fry up onion sauce as a base before going in with anything else. These little things make all of the delicious difference!
Now that you I have shared these amazing rice dishes, which of these will you be making, let me know down in the comment section!
