Gullah Red Rice

Gullah Red Rice

1 servings
Gullah red rice was derived from the West-African dish Jollof rice. It has an intense tomato flavor but it's not overly acidic thanks to the addition of sugar. Adding smoked pork sausage gives the rice a subtle smokiness as well. This is a robust side dish!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked parboiled rice
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 8 ounces smoked pork sausage

    finely diced

  • 1 large onion

    finely diced

  • 1 bell pepper

    finely diced

  • Two 6-ounce cans tomato paste
  • 4 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh cracked black pepper

Directions

  1. 1

    Rinse the rice until the water becomes slightly clear. (This removes the starch.)

  2. 2

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, onion and pepper and cook, stirring, until the vegetables soften and start to brown at the edges, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, sugar, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir rice into the tomato mixture and cook, uncovered, and stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.

  3. 3

    Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and spread into an even layer. Add just enough water to cover the rice (about 2 cups). Tightly cover with a lid or foil and bake for 30 minutes without uncovering the baking dish. Turn off the oven, remove the rice, fluff the rice, then cover and return to oven for 10 minutes more.

Gullah Red Rice

Gullah Red Rice

60 min1 servings

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About this Recipe

Craving a deeply flavorful, robust side dish with a rich history? This Gullah Red Rice recipe brings the soulful taste of the Lowcountry to your table, a delicious nod to its West African Jollof rice origins.

What makes this Gullah Red Rice stand out is its masterful balance of intense tomato flavor and subtle sweetness, preventing any harsh acidity. The addition of finely diced smoked pork sausage weaves through the dish, imparting a crucial layer of savory depth and a comforting smokiness that transforms simple rice into something truly extraordinary.

You can expect a vibrant, aromatic rice dish with perfectly separate grains, thanks to the parboiled rice. Each spoonful offers a complex medley of savory tomato, a hint of sweet counterpoint, and the unmistakable, lingering warmth of smoked pork. The finely diced onion and bell pepper soften into the rice, adding texture and sweet undertones, while garlic powder, salt, and black pepper ensure every bite is wonderfully seasoned and robust.

While smoked pork sausage is traditional and highly recommended for its unique flavor, you could experiment by using a different smoked sausage for a varied profile, or even omit meat entirely for a flavorful vegetarian side. For an extra kick, a pinch of cayenne pepper could be folded in with the seasonings. Feel free to adjust the amount of bell pepper or onion to your preference, though their finely diced texture is key to melting into the rice.

This versatile and robust Gullah Red Rice makes an excellent accompaniment to grilled meats, roasted chicken, or any Southern-inspired meal, adding a burst of color and a hearty, satisfying element to your plate.

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