Ingredients
- Meat: Beef or lamb, cut into medium pieces.
- Rice: Broken fragrant rice (common in Senegal), washed and drained.
- Vegetables:
- Onions: Sliced (a large quantity for taste and color).
- Garlic: Ax.
- Carrots and Eggplants: (Optional, often added for texture).
- Green pepper: Finely chopped or pounded.
- Pounded mixture (Nokoss): A mixture of garlic, black pepper, green pepper and broth.
- Seasoning and Liquids:
- Mustard:.
- Oil: For frying.
- Spices: Salt, black pepper and bay leaves.
- Water: For cooking rice.
- Vinegar or Lemon: A small amount for the onion garnish.
Preparation Steps
1. Sear the meat
- Heat the oil in a large pot. Add the pieces of meat and fry them until they are nicely browned (dark color).
- This caramelization is essential because it gives the rice its characteristic brown color.
2. Add the aromatics
- Add the sliced onions to the browned meat. Mix and cook until the onions soften and turn golden brown.
- Add the Nokoss (the crushed mixture of garlic and pepper) in the pot to release the aromas.
3. Simmer the base
- Add the mustard and optional vegetables like carrots.
- Pour in the water (enough to cook the rice) and bring to the boil.
- Reduce the heat, cover and let the meat simmer until tender.
4. Pre-steam and cook the rice
- While the meat is simmering, you can pre-cook the steamed rice over the pot (using a couscous maker) to soften the grains.
- Once the meat is tender, check the seasoning of the broth.
- Remove some of the meat and vegetables if the pot is too full, then add the rice to the broth.
- The liquid level should be just slightly above the rice.
5. Final cooking
- Cover tightly and cook over very low heat for about 15 to 20 minutes until the water is completely absorbed and the rice is very tender.
6. Service (Onion garnish / Diaga)
- Thiebou Yapp is traditionally served with a side of sautéed onions mixed with mustard, vinegar, and sometimes olives or hard-boiled eggs.
- Arrange the rice on a large platter, arrange the meat and vegetables on top, and finish with the onion garnish.
