How to Parboil (pre-cook)White Rice for Nigerian Rice Recipes

To  parboil or not to parboil rice? That is the question! Hace you also sked the same question? Is it necessary to parboil rice for Nigerian rice recipes? Or not. Here’s my opinion

Parboiling Rice is the same as precooking Rice.

Most Nigerian Rice recipes (such as the Nigerian Jollof Rice, Nigerian Fried Rice and the Nigerian Coconut Rice) call for parboiled rice.

This act of parboiling is different from that which is done commercially. The commercial process parboils raw rice with its husk on, to help drive nutrients from the bran(outside) into endosperm(inside).

The long grain  rice used could be Basmati rice or the commercially Parboiled rice-

Now you may be asking; Will you be parboiling the commercially parboiled rice again? And the answer is YES! but this time, for a different purpose. Let me explain.

The  parboiling process for Nigerian rice recipes is done by precooking any long grain rice(without the husk) to help reduce the starch content and allow it to absorb ingredients and spices easily without being soggy or burning in the cooking process.

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Although a few Nigerian cooks disagree with the parboiling process, saying that  it reduces the nutritional value of the rice, and isn’t necessary, since the common long grain rice has already being parboiled.

Well, personally , I think it’s a matter of choice and not a dogma and I love the way my Jollof Rice, Fried Rice and Coconut Rice turns out with parboiled Rice.

So if you want to give it a try; Here are the directions:

* First, place the Rice in a pot(you can pick and wash them if you bought yours from the local market)

*Pour  in some water and leave to cook. The water should completely cover the rice (twice the level of the rice is ok).

*When the water in the rice begins to boil and you notice the whitish (starchy contents) coming out of the rice, put of the heat.

*Now, run some cold water into the pot and  pour the  rice into a a big sieve or colander. Pour back into the pot and repeat the process(run more cold water and transfer to sieve). This process helps to rinse of the excess starch and also stops the cooking process.

See also  Nigerian Beans and Plantain Porridge

*Finally ,leave in the colander or sieve to drain .

*Now the parboiled Rice is ready for use .

See how I used it in these recipes below:

Related Recipes 

* All Rice Recipes

* Nigerian Fried Rice 

* Nigerian Egg Fried Rice

* Nigerian Coconut Rice

* Nigerian Rice and Beans

Nigerian Party Jollof Rice

How to Parboil (pre-cook)White Rice for Nigerian Rice Recipes

How to Parboil (pre-cook)White Rice for Nigerian Rice Recipes

Instructions

    1. Prepare the Rice: Place the rice in a pot. If you bought it from the local market, you may want to pick and wash it.

    2. Add Water: Pour in enough water to completely cover the rice. Typically, the water level should be about twice the level of the rice.

    3. Observe Boiling: As the water in the pot starts to boil and you notice the whitish starchy contents coming out of the rice, turn off the heat.

    4. Rinse and Drain: Run cold water into the pot and then pour the rice into a large sieve or colander. Return the rice to the pot and repeat this process (running cold water and transferring to the sieve). This rinsing step helps remove excess starch and stops the cooking process.

    5. Drain: Leave the parboiled rice in the colander or sieve to drain.

    Now, your parboiled rice is ready for use in your recipe.

Please leave your comments, doubts, questions and success stories  below 

See also  Ji Mmiri Oku (Yam and Dried Fish Pepper Soup Porridge)

☺Bon Appetit

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23 Comments

  1. kelly ghosticka
    November 18, 2017 / 10:29 am

    Ver good recipes.. You are making cooking easy for us, keep it up.

  2. Madam Blunt
    August 20, 2017 / 8:48 am

    Thank you very much ma, for your helpful tips. I've bookmarked your blog already. I'll be visiting more often. You've got me. Please, keep up the good work. You make us appreciate this information age more. One love

  3. Anonymous
    June 2, 2017 / 12:14 pm

    IJABOR PEACE i must say i,m most grateful ma,this is a recommend page who has been struggling to cook most african dish becos it is real.tnx alot ma GOD bless u.

  4. adebayo bousaryor
    December 30, 2016 / 1:25 pm

    My sis gv me a head shocked response cos i asked her for help in cooking fried rice. Al tanx to u ma'am, i tink i can now

  5. adebayo bousaryor
    December 30, 2016 / 1:25 pm

    My sis gv me a head shocked response cos i asked her for help in cooking fried rice. Al tanx to u ma'am, i tink i can now

  6. Babie
    January 28, 2016 / 5:08 am

    Your procedure is outstanding..quick three questions.1) this long rice is it same as the regular price we buy in our local market in Nigeria?/(2) Am using a normal pot on gas to make Nigerian jollof rice..if I let it burn a little , will that give it the smoky flavor?

  7. Anonymous
    January 28, 2016 / 5:04 am

    How do I add your channel go bbm? Can't seem to find it…long rice is it same as our normal rice we buy from the market? I want to make Nigerian kollof rice for 9 persons..our regular 7 cups of rice should cover right? And to apply the burnt theory , am using a normal pot on gas not firewood..if I let it burn a little,will it get the smoky flavor owabe rice?

  8. Sunday Oladapo
    January 10, 2016 / 8:31 am

    I just learnt how to pre-cook now with mind to surprise my wife and children with a nice Jollof rice today my birthday. I am also noting your jollof rice as well. thanks.

    • Nky Lily Lete
      January 11, 2016 / 11:16 am

      You're welcome sunday,let me know how it turns outHappy birthday 🙂

  9. Unknown
    January 10, 2016 / 8:28 am

    I just learnt how to pre-cook rice now from your site as i intend to surprise my wife and children for a nice rice for my birthday. thanks.

  10. Anonymous
    December 30, 2015 / 3:31 pm

    Tnx nky u'r the best!!

    • Nky Lily Lete
      January 11, 2016 / 11:08 am

      🙂

  11. Anonymous
    February 25, 2015 / 9:35 am

    Thanks for the guide..its awesome! I'm a guy & I love cooking 🙂

    • Nky Lily Lete
      March 1, 2015 / 6:30 pm

      you're welcome 🙂

  12. Anonymous
    December 12, 2014 / 9:47 am

    Thank you very much.Detailed and concise.Am so cooking this 4 xmas.

    • Nky Lily Lete
      December 13, 2014 / 1:00 pm

      You're welcome.

  13. Anonymous
    October 12, 2014 / 5:01 am

    Really good guide…… Well done

    • Nky Lily Lete
      October 14, 2014 / 10:04 pm

      thanks.

  14. Anonymous
    January 22, 2014 / 8:33 am

    You do a very good job ma'am. God bless people like you who go out of their way to make other people's life easier

    • Nky Lily Lete
      October 14, 2014 / 10:03 pm

      Thanks dearie, people like you make all the effort worth it .

  15. Oluwafunke
    January 21, 2014 / 7:23 am

    To be sincere, every bit of what i read this morning was too great to leave without a comment………i must commend your effort ma'am.Just surfing the internet to get Nigeria buns recipe but was glued to this site for close to an hour.For a job weldone ma'am…….thumb upthanks and God bless you.

    • Nky Lily Lete
      October 14, 2014 / 10:02 pm

      Thanks for your lovely comment.I'm so glad to be of help-God bless you too.

  16. Oluwafunke
    January 21, 2014 / 7:23 am

    To be sincere, every bit of what i read this morning was too great to leave without a comment………i must commend your effort ma'am.Just surfing the internet to get nigeria buns recipe but was glued to this site for close to an hour.For a job weldone ma'am…….thumb upthanks and God bless you.