BURKINA FASO RIZ GRAS (FAT RICE) Recipe - Cooking with Kids

Father and son are getting a little fat as we cook a simple recipe from Burkina Faso known as Riz Gras (or Fat Rice) on our international cooking adventure. It's an easy delicious dish of white rice, chicken, and hearty flavorful vegetables. Sam likes rice but doesn't like when his food is touch, so this is a bit of a challenge.
Recipe is listed below.
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Music: Burkinelectric by The Mini-Vandals featuring Koita and Lasso
Of course I knew this adventure was not going to be good for our waistlines, but I did not anticipate eating something known simply as Fat Rice. But that is the National Dish of Burkina Faso and incorporates both some traditional flavors and French ingredients.
Riz Gras is also eaten in other parts of West Africa and is related to the Senegalese dish “tiebou djen.” In Burkina Faso, it’s usually served as part of a big party.
Rice, of course is the main component of the dish. And the “fat” part comes from the large amount of oil that is used to cook the ingredients. It’ll make you fat, but also very happy. And in a country with large food insecurity issues like Burkina Faso, those large amount of calories are super important.
Along with the rice, vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, onions, and carrots, are almost always included. Meat is usually added, but not always. We used chicken because I know Sam eats it, but it is also often made with beef or lamb.
It’s flavored with bouillon cube (or Maggi) and some spices, like cinnamon and habanero. Spice is tolerated and appreciated in Burkina Faso, so while the spice level can easily be toned down, it is very common. I decided to make a small second batch for Sam without the heat.
Most of this recipe involves chopping and prepping. So while Sam and I peel carrots and blend tomatoes, Sam tells me some wild stories about Burkina Faso.
He has been in to fairy tales lately, especially Jack & the Beanstalk and Three Little Pigs, and those no doubt influence his own tale. You don’t want to miss Sam’s take on the Fairy & the Dinosaur from Burkina Faso. It’s going to be a classic!
RECIPE:
INGREDIENTS
1 pound chicken breast cubed
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1.5 cup white rice
2 bay leaves
1 cinnamon stick
2 garlic cloves minced
1 medium yellow onion diced
3 tomatoes chopped
3 tbspn tomato paste
3 carrots chopped
1 red bell pepper chopped
1 tspn curry powder
2 cups chicken stock
1/2 bouillon cube crushed
1 habanero pepper pierced with a knife
INSTRUCTIONS
Blend or crush tomatoes.
Heat vegetable oil in large saucepan over high heat.
Carefully add bay leaves and cinnamon stick and stir for a minute until aromatic.
Add garlic and chicken. Fry for about two minutes careful not to burn the garlic.
Add onions, blended tomatoes, tomato paste, and stir.
Add carrots, red peppers, and season with salt and pepper. Cook un til water from tomato reduces.
Add curry powder and stir well.
Now add uncooked rice and stir well to coat. Add chicken stock, crushed bouillon cube piece, and habanero. Stir and bring to boil.
Once boiling, lower heat to simmer, and cover. Cook for about 20 minutes until rice is cooked.
TIMESTAMPS:
Introduction to Burkina Faso: 0:24
To jump straight to the cooking: 2:06
Riz Gras (Fat Rice) - 2:06
Prep Vegetables - 2:19
Start Cooking - 3:46
Sam's Special Story about Burkina Faso - 4:15
The Finished Product - 6:00
Sam's Food Review - 6:08
Bonus Clip: 7:07
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[@EatThisNY]

Does fat rice sound appetizing to you? Or should we stick with the French name Riz Gras?

[@kaiju_k5042]

Sounds yummy!

[@EatThisNY]

@@kaiju_k5042 I agree. I think both names sound pretty yummy..

[@kanyilipathy320]

It's also called jolof rice

[@italycustomized127]

SAM is like Italian kids liking things separate not mixing just love him. Fantastico

[@EatThisNY]

Aw, thanks! I guess that is a universal four year old thing. I'm hoping that changes. He won't even eat his pasta with sauce on it. Just some parmigiana but otherwise completely plain.

[@kaiju_k5042]

Sam is a cutie! Also such a brilliant way to teach him culture and geography! I used to make a red rice ages ago, thank you for this cozy recipe, will have to try it for sure.

[@EatThisNY]

Thanks so much!! We have both learned so much about different cultures and places. Been really amazing. And yes, this is a good recipe for a cold night. Let us know how ti comes out.