Jollof Rice - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 pieces chicken (4 to 6)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
1/4 lb cubed salt pork or 1/4 lb ham
2 beef bouillon cubes
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 sprig fresh thyme, crushed
1/2 cup water
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1/4 cup uncooked rice
2 2 cups tomatoes (or any combination of vegetables) or 2 cups string beans (or any combination of vegetables)

Preparation

Season chicken with salt and black pepper.
In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes.
Add chicken pieces and brown on both sides.
Place chicken in a kettle and set aside.
Add onions and salt pork to oil in frying pan and saute until onions are trans- parent.
Add onions and pork to kettle.
Set frying pan aside. (Do not discard oil.).
Add bouillon cubes, red pepper, thyme, 1-1/2 cups water, and tomato paste to kettle and stir well.
Simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes.
Add rice to frying pan and stir to coat with oil.
Add rice and vegetables to kettle, stir well, and cover.
Cook over low heat 35 to 40 minutes or until vegetables and rice are tender.