Akwasi Brenya-Mensa
It is September 2000, and I’m packing all of my possessions into suitcases, about to head off to university in Sheffield. Maame (Mum) has unsuccessfully tried to get me to cut my hair before the barber’s shop closes, but she does successfully teach me how to cook rice, a skill that has since saved me on many an occasion. I first had today’s dirty rice in March on a trip to New York, and found the transatlantic slave trade history behind it both sad and fascinating. The dish has so many variants, depending on what is available to the cook, and this one is an “Ital is vital” version.
Dirty rice
Prep 15 min
Cook 20 min
Serves 4
50ml coconut oil, for frying
150g finely diced onion
20g minced garlic
1 serrano chilli, or fat green chilli, deseeded if you prefer less heat, flesh finely chopped
1 yellow pepper, stalk, seeds and pith removed, flesh cut into small dice
2 tsp chopped fresh thyme leaves
200g plant-based mince
1-2 tbsp dried Cajun seasoning, to taste – I like Badia
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried parsley
½ tsp dried chilli flakes
2 dried bay leaves
120ml vegetable stock
30ml soy sauce
Salt and black pepper
600g refrigerated day-old cooked white basmati rice
Crispy fried onions, to serve
1 small bunch chives, finely chopped, to garnish
Put the coconut oil in a large frying pan on a medium-low heat, saute the onions for two to three minutes, then add the garlic and fry, stirring, for another two minutes. Add the chopped chilli, yellow pepper and thyme, and cook, still stirring, for two minutes more.
Add the mince, cook, stirring, for a minute or two, then add the Cajun seasoning, oregano, parsley, chilli flakes and bay leaves. Stir to coat the mince, onions, garlic and pepper in the spices and aromatics, then pour in the stock and soy sauce, cover and leave to simmer for six to eight minutes.
Taste and adjust the seasoning, then remove and discard the bay leaves, turn up the heat to medium-high and add the cooked rice. Stir constantly, so it doesn’t catch, and cook until the rice is properly heated through (if you like, microwave the rice before adding it to the pan).
Spoon into wide, shallow bowls, top with the crispy fried onions to add some texture, then garnish with the finely chopped chives. If you want some more spice, garnish with extra chilli flakes, then enjoy your fragrant dirty rice.
