Thumpy Rose Nothing says Traditional African food recipes like Liberian dry rice. Do you think fried firm tofu is eaten in Western Africa? Liberian dry rice with red oil is an easy, one-pot weekend meal or a whole week meal prep recipe. I love it because it has minimal ingredients and the resulting flavors make my heart sing! This food is considered affordable or broke recipes to some people. If you love vegetarian African food as we do, read on to learn more about this traditional Dry Rice with Palm oil.
The flavors made me want to cry out of happiness, a ping of good memories and rebirth.
ThumpyRose
Video tutorial
What is Liberian Dry Rice?
Traditional African food recipes need traditional ingredients. This fresh recipe uses brown rice with African eggplant (aka kittely), boiled okra, and bennehseeds spices. Based on availability, you can use fresh, dried, or frozen kittely. Sesame seeds (aka benneh seeds) are also toasted for this recipe, bringing in some crunch and nuttiness. Never knew these ingredients put together could taste so luxurious! Thoughts on making this with this fried firm tofu? Comment below.
Dear world, wake up to this deliciousness oh.
Food evokes emotion. And this lifestyle is making me appreciate those heightened sensations that dishes like this communicate. This dish is, like our Gari, considered a “poor man’s food” by some people (oh ignorance!). It is one of my beloved broke recipes. But affordable doesn’t mean less tasty! The flavors made me want to cry out of happiness, a ping of good memories and rebirth. Why do some people underestimate food? I wonder. For more amazing Liberian dishes like Liberian dry rice, be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter. Get in while it is free ooo.
Benefits of Liberian dry rice
African eggplant: This plant originated from West Africa and eventually spread around the world. You may wonder why, considering its bitter taste that worsens as it ripens. But this plant actually has its benefits, good enough to put it in vegetarian African food. African eggplant contains calcium that strengthens bones. Its fiber also helps with blood sugar control. According to researchers, fiber also helps maintain bowel movements and lowers cholesterol levels.
Okra: okra is a great ingredient for broke recipes. In some (possibly a lot of) African countries, you can find it sold by street vendors at great prices. It is not only used in vegetarian African food but it is popular worldwide. This small plant is packed with nutrition, but be careful not to eat too much. Researchers states the fructans in okra can cause gastrointestinal problems, such as gas and cramping.
The same source says that one of the many benefits of okra is its folate. They say folate is important in preventing fetal problems in pregnancies. And there is research linked to it having preventative effects on breast cancer. We have plenty of okra recipes at your disposal here. Be sure to check them out!
Nutritional Fatty Oil
Red palm oil: Palm oil is made from the flesh and seed of the African oil palm fruit. Red palm oil specifically, is unrefined. That makes it healthier than refined oil as it still holds all its nutrients. Research shows that red palm oil is a good source of vitamin E. Enough Vitamin E helps your cells function, also keeping your immune system in good condition. Red palm oil also promotes the absorption of Vitamin A, critical to eye health.
Rice: Rice is a great source of healthy carbs. Lots of traditional African food recipes include rice because of its health benefits and versatility. Fried firm tofu elevates the nutrients, it add protein content and fiber. For a more in-depth look at the benefits of rice, as well as cooking tips, you can see our article here.
Traditional African food recipes like Liberian dry rice are just too good not to share so share on social media and with your friends. Make it yourself, and let us know what you think. Now let’s make some traditional dry rice with palm oil! Curious about a no-animal-meat food lifestyle? Check out our Instagram page for real-life inspirations 😊.
Traditional Liberian Dry Rice with Red Oil
Now you know more about one of the best plant based foods out there. Another one pot meal to appeal to your heart, body, and taste buds. It is easy to make, and even easier to eat. Its nutritional value and overall origin makes it part of the popular African recipes that we are trying to share here. Because we love affordable food recipes, but we love sharing them even more. Traditional African recipes must not die with those before us. But must live on for generations to come. This is a recipe for you, for your children, and for your children's children. We hope you enjoy it!
Ingredients
- 3 Cups Brown Rice
- ½ Cup Kittely (optional)
- 1 Habanero
- 5 Okra (cleaned)
- 2 Cups Vege Broth (or 1 vege cube)
- 1.5 Cup Water
- ¼ Cups Sesame Seeds
- ½ Tsp Salt
- Palm oil
Instructions
- Season your plant protein and fry until golden. We used tofu, and fried it in avocado oil, at medium-high heat. Feel free to use a protein of your choice.
- Once fried, take it out. Drain the excess oil on a towel.
- Move on to your rice. Wash your rice twice and put it in your pot with your Vege broth and with water. Remember we showed you how to cook rice on stove using intuitive cooking. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- Wash the okra and remove the top stem. Add the fresh whole okra, and habanero pepper.
- Put in the washed kittely after that.
- Cook your rice in a rice cooker or on the stove. If this is your first time cooking rice on stovetop, please visit our article linked below on how to cook rice on stovetop.
- In a separate pan, toast your sesame seeds on low heat until it has changed color to golden brown and it becomes fragrant.
- Once toasted, blend sesame seeds in electric blender or crush them using a mortar and pestle. Set aside your sesame seeds in a bowl.
- For those who do not like palm oil, I listed plain avocado oil as an option. For those that love red palm oil, measure the portion you want in a bowl.
- Don’t forget the rice! Check on your rice, and add more water if needed.
- Once the rice is ready, take out the okra and blend it. You can transfer the rice to a serving plate.
- Put the okra in the bowl with crushed sesame seeds and add in habanero and season with salt and crush. Mix them all together, enough that the pepper is mashed and blends with the okra and sesame seeds. Witness the fragrant goodness.
- Measure the rice you want (kttely should be rice), add your plant protein to rice, add your okra-sesame mixture on top, and drizzle your warmed palm oil on top.
- Savor the bliss and enjoy oooo!
Notes
Serving Suggestion: Put the okra mixture on top of the rice with your protein. Sprinkle on the oil mixture. Enjoy!
Link to how to cook rice on stove top
https://humblevege.com/how-to-cook-rice-for-beginners-on-the-stove/
