Here is a wonderful recipe from Mali, in West Africa. Jollof rice is especially popular because it is both delicious and easy to prepare. Also, the ingredients are readily available in Western countries.

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

500 g. (1 lb.) lean beef or chicken (Substitute vegetables if you like.)
Salt & ground white pepper, to taste
Vegetable oil for frying
1L (1-3/4 pt) stock or water with 3 crushed stock cubes
3 large onions, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, peeled & finely chopped (optional)
2-3 chilies (hot peppers,) finely chopped
4 large tomatoes, blanched, peeled & blended or mashed
45 g. (3 tablespoons) tomato paste
250 g. (8 oz) each of assorted chopped vegetables, e.g. carrots, green beans, mushrooms & capsicums, sweet or bell peppers
500 g. (1 lb.) long-grain rice
Lettuce, parsley, or fresh coriander(or cilantro)
Hard-boiled eggs to garnish

Directions:

Cut meat or chicken into 5 cm (2 in) cubes or small pieces & season with salt & pepper. Cover & allow to stand for 1-2 hours.
Heat oil in fry-pan & fry the meat or chicken pieces until brown.
Remove meat from oil & add to the stock in a large, heavy-based saucepan. Simmer on low heat until meat begins to soften, then remove from heat.
Drain excess oil in fry-pan leaving enough oil to fry onions, garlic, & chilies (hot peppers) until golden.
Add tomatoes, tomato paste, half the combined vegetables & 250 ml (8 fl oz) of stock from the meat mixture.
Stir well, adjust seasoning & simmer on low heat for 5-6 minutes. Add this vegetable sauce to the meat mixture in the saucepan & simmer gently.

Finally, stir in the uncooked, long-grain rice. Adjust the seasoning again, cover & simmer slowly on low heat for about 15 minutes.
Arrange the remaining vegetables on top of the rice & continue to simmer until the rice absorbs all the stock, softens & cooks, & the meat is tender. It may be necessary to sprinkle additional water to help the rice cook. If so, use small amounts at a time of approximately 250 ml (8 fl oz) lightly salted water.

Serve hot, garnished with chopped lettuce, parsley, or fresh coriander (cilantro) & hard-boiled eggs.