Having grown up having Nigerian food quite frequently when I lived in Hackney, I don’t get to have it as often these days, and I haven’t had my beloved Jellof Rice in forever.
A friend and I headed down to Old Market to Iroko this week to find to my delight that it was still there, since I had only been once before, about four years ago maybe. Situated on a side road in Bristol’s busy - and increasingly popular for new businesses - Old Market area, Iroko (the name given to a tropical African tree) is easy to walk past. I myself have blindly walked past it hundreds of times on my way to the local primary school that I work in.
But this doesn’t stop it from being popular. We arrived at opening time; 5:30pm, and were the only ones there, as you’d expect for quite an obscure time to eat. But throughout the two hours we spent there, two businessmen arrived separately to tuck into their post-work dinner alone, and one family came too, which I think is pretty busy for a midweek evening.
A friend and I headed down to Old Market to Iroko this week to find to my delight that it was still there, since I had only been once before, about four years ago maybe. Situated on a side road in Bristol’s busy - and increasingly popular for new businesses - Old Market area, Iroko (the name given to a tropical African tree) is easy to walk past. I myself have blindly walked past it hundreds of times on my way to the local primary school that I work in.
But this doesn’t stop it from being popular. We arrived at opening time; 5:30pm, and were the only ones there, as you’d expect for quite an obscure time to eat. But throughout the two hours we spent there, two businessmen arrived separately to tuck into their post-work dinner alone, and one family came too, which I think is pretty busy for a midweek evening.
I was feeling adventurous as I perused the starters menu, and the waiter (and owner of the restaurant) recommended Gizzard. I have never tried it before, and since it was recommended to me, I decided this was as good a time as any, and agreed. My friend was feeling less adventurous and went for the Spicy Chicken Wings , which came as a three large, very tender and indeed nicely spicy chicken wings. |
The meat had the texture of pork and the taste of lamb, and the dish was a tossed mixture of gizzard, plantain, and fried onions.
Based on my first try of Gizzard, I can safely say I am a big fan! Or maybe this was down to the way Iroko cook it, or perhaps this is the Nigerian way, but either way this dish was rich in flavour and the contrasting textures of the meat and the soft plantain complimented each other perfectly in this dish, and a very generous portion was given. Granted, it was difficult to make a picture of gizzard look attractive, as you can imagine, but that need not matter when it tasted this good.
Based on my first try of Gizzard, I can safely say I am a big fan! Or maybe this was down to the way Iroko cook it, or perhaps this is the Nigerian way, but either way this dish was rich in flavour and the contrasting textures of the meat and the soft plantain complimented each other perfectly in this dish, and a very generous portion was given. Granted, it was difficult to make a picture of gizzard look attractive, as you can imagine, but that need not matter when it tasted this good.
Yes, I chose to make this image huge, because this was what we came for; the Jellof rice.
It must be noted that Jellof rice isn't unique to Nigerians, and that several other cuisines in West Africa cook it deliciously too. It is also quite famously spicy. I like spicy food, and the friend I dined with has grown up on spicy food at home, but wow this was spicy! But the spice levels did not by any means lessen the enjoyment of the dish.
The Jellof rice dish comes with a choice of Chicken, Beef, Steamed Fish, or fried fish. We both chose chicken, and I guess the only disappointment of the meal was that the amount of chicken given was really very small, with really very little meat on it. The meat that was on it though, was really delicious, so it was such a shame that there wasn't more of it. The plantain was perfectly cooked, not too soft, but not too crispy and overdone either.
The next time I decide to choose Jellof Rice at Iroko, I think I will choose a meat dish, and have the rice as an extra, which you can do at a very reasonable price. However, next time I come I would also like to be more adventurous with my choice of main course, as there were many very intriguing dishes on the menu that I have never come across.
And yes, there will be a next time.
It must be noted that Jellof rice isn't unique to Nigerians, and that several other cuisines in West Africa cook it deliciously too. It is also quite famously spicy. I like spicy food, and the friend I dined with has grown up on spicy food at home, but wow this was spicy! But the spice levels did not by any means lessen the enjoyment of the dish.
The Jellof rice dish comes with a choice of Chicken, Beef, Steamed Fish, or fried fish. We both chose chicken, and I guess the only disappointment of the meal was that the amount of chicken given was really very small, with really very little meat on it. The meat that was on it though, was really delicious, so it was such a shame that there wasn't more of it. The plantain was perfectly cooked, not too soft, but not too crispy and overdone either.
The next time I decide to choose Jellof Rice at Iroko, I think I will choose a meat dish, and have the rice as an extra, which you can do at a very reasonable price. However, next time I come I would also like to be more adventurous with my choice of main course, as there were many very intriguing dishes on the menu that I have never come across.
And yes, there will be a next time.