Nigerian Concoction Rice Recipe

Concoction Rice is a popular rice recipe cooked in rich pepper sauce in Nigeria. It is cooked similarly to Jollof Rice – with grains, pepper sauce, and delicious toppings. It is popularly referred to as native rice or palm oil rice.

Indeed, it’s a concoction of diverse flavors and colors of rice, smoked mackerel, pepper sauce, vegetables, and spices! 

This is certainly the perfect rice to cook for weekends and celebrations. It is truly an African delicacy to serve and remember!

How to Make Concoction Rice

It may sound complicated, but Concoction Rice is actually easy to cook. Your efforts will surely be worth it. I love cooking this for my family, and you will love cooking it for yours too! 

Ingredients

Concoction Rice has many ingredients, so don’t forget to list them.

Asli basmati rice

Asli basmati rice is a high-quality long grain usually used for African and Asian dishes. Its distinct flavor and aroma are further enhanced with sauces and spices. 

Once cooked, basmati rice has a tender and fluffy texture that goes well with main dishes, soups, and stews. Remember that it is white rice, meaning it also has calories. 

I also use this for Jollof Rice, Fried Rice, and Coconut Fried Rice. With basmati rice, any dish tastes so much better!

Smoked mackerel

What makes smoked mackerel a good topping for Concoction Rice? It’s flavorful, tender, and healthy! The fish’s savory quality will also improve the taste of the rice for the best experience. 

If you love mackerel, you should also consider making Moi Moi, Egusi Soup, and Fish Rolls!

Pepper sauce

Pepper sauce is the secret to some of the best African dishes. It is made of blended tomatoes, bell peppers, sweet peppers, onion, and scotch bonnet. 

The fusion of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors will make the rice tasty. In fact, the onion adds pungency and aroma to the sauce. 

Onion

The onion goes well with smoked mackerel as the rice’s toppings. It makes the dish appetizing because of how amazing it smells. Moreover, the onion adds a richer flavor to every bite!

Tomato and tomato puree

The tomato and tomato puree add a sweet and sour taste to the sauce. They also complement the color of the pepper sauce, giving it a luscious red appearance. 

Meanwhile, the tomato puree helps thicken the sauce to bind it with the rice easily. 

Assorted meat liquid stock

Make the Concoction Rice extra savory with assorted meat liquid stock. It is liquid stock from seasoned and boiled meat such as tripe and abodi. 

Seasoning

This rice only needs mixed herbs, knorr cubes, curry powder, and sea salt to season. These spices will bring out the best flavors in the sauce and the rice. They also improve the overall quality of Concoction Rice.

Sunflower oil

Cook the pepper sauce in sunflower oil to release the full flavors of the ingredients. Because of its high smoke point, sunflower oil is one of the best oils for frying.

These are the secrets to authentic and delicious Nigerian Concoction Rice. Once mixed together, you will surely appreciate how good they taste! 

Directions

Are you ready to cook an amazing Concoction of Rice?

Make the pepper sauce

1. Heat oil in a pot over medium fire.
2. Pour in the pepper sauce and cook for five minutes. 
3. Add the mixed herbs, curry powder, knorr cubes, sea salt, tomato puree, and meat liquid stock.
4. Then, stir the contents with a spatula.
5. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. 

Prepare the rice

1. Put the basmati rice in a bowl.
2. Rinse and drain several times. 

Cook the Concoction Rice

1. Spread the rinsed rice into the sauce. 
2. Let it cook for five minutes. 
3. Place aluminum foil under the pot lid to steam for 15 minutes. 
4. Check if the rice is cooked.
5. Then, add the sliced onions.
6. Steam for two more minutes.
7. Add the smoked mackerel chunks.
8. Toss in the tomato slices.
9. Steam for three more minutes. 
10. Mix the contents with a spatula. 
11. Once happy with the flavor and texture, put the rice in a dish and serve!

Now that you can taste this rice, what do you love most? 

Tips

Pepper Sauce

After learning how to make pepper sauce, you can cook many African dishes like this Concoction Rice. All you need are tomatoes, bell peppers, sweet peppers, onion, and scotch bonnet. 

Chop the ingredients with a knife. Pulse them using a blender. Otherwise, use a grater instead. You can also store this sauce in the fridge or freezer for other recipes.

Tomato Puree

Buy fresh red tomatoes and store them properly. Prepare the tomato puree in a blender or food processor for a smooth and thick texture. You can also buy ready-to-use tomato puree in grocery stores. 

Smoked Mackerel

Enjoy smoked mackerel at home with these easy steps:

1. Rinse and gut the mackerel. 
2. Fold the fish until its mouth reaches the tail. 
3. Then, secure the fish with a toothpick. 
4. Smoke it in the oven at 200°C for 15 minutes on each side. 

You can keep smoked mackerel in the fridge or freeze it for future recipes! 

Nigerian Concoction Rice Variations

Nigerian Concoction Rice can be cooked with different ingredients. For instance, you can season the sauce with your preferred herbs and spices. 

Meanwhile, basmati rice can be replaced with other grains like jasmine rice.  However, I suggest using long-grain rice for a fluffy and loose texture. 

Moreover, you can add beef, chicken, crayfish, prawns, or even turkey instead of smoked mackerel. You may also use mixed vegetables with the onions for flavor and color. 

Recommended Tools

• Pot: Cook the Nigerian Coconut Rice in a pot.
• Spatula: Stir the rice using a spatula.
• Bowl: Rinse the basmati in a glass bowl.
• Aluminum foil: Steam cook the rice in a pot with aluminum foil under the pot lid.
• Dish: Serve the rice in a dish. 

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How to Serve Concoction Rice

Like other fried rice recipes, you can serve Concoction Rice with many dishes. You can serve it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner to give your friends and family a wonderful time! 

Additionally, check out these recipes you can pair with this rice:

• Grilled Salmon
• Roast Chicken
• Coleslaw
• Boiled Eggs
• Roasted Plantains
• Fried Chicken Gizzards

It may be delicious, but you must limit your intake to half a cup of Concoction Rice every other day. Balance it with healthy recipes for a proper diet.

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: Eat the Concoction Rice within several hours at room temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is concoction rice?

Concoction rice is sauce-rich rice made of Asli basmati grains. It is cooked in pepper sauce, toppings, and spices. This rice is a popular recipe in Nigeria because it tastes great with any dish!

What is the best way to cook concoction rice?

The best way to cook concoction rice is to boil it in the delicious pepper sauce. You can also cook it in a pot to stir the herbs and spices better. Don’t forget to rinse the grains to get rid of the starch. 

What is the difference between concoction rice and jollof rice?

The main difference between concoction rice and jollof rice is the toppings. Jollof rice usually uses cooked chicken, while concoction rice is best cooked with fish. However, they are still cooked in the same pepper sauce.