Le Mandela
If you’re looking to warm your stomach and soul somewhere in the city, Le Mandela, located on Penarth Road, have curated their menu with an amalgamation of delicious dishes from various regions in Africa.
Cameroonian brothers, Ulrich, Benoit and Steve, took over the restaurant from their Mother, Marie, in 2017 who armed them with her recipes for both the dishes and success. With Ulrich as the General Manager, Head Chef Benoit (who has previously worked for chef James Sommerin) and Steve currently working as a sous-chef, training in college to advance his cooking career, this restaurant is fully equipped with a passionate, skilled team to provide an authentic African dining experience in Cardiff.
The band of brothers believe that “African cuisine is all too often overlooked and far too underrated.” Their aim is to bring a touch of their heritage to Cardiff “to show you just how good it can really be”. With the recipe that follows, Le Mandela are offering a taste of Africa without the price of a plane ticket attached.
To recreate their delectable Jollof rice dish, much loved South of the Sahara and along the coast of West Africa, you’ll need:
Ingredients
6 fresh tomatoes
200g tomato purée
2 tbsp fresh or dry thyme
2 tbsp fresh rosemary
6 Romano peppers (800g)
Easy cook basmati rice
900ml vegetable stock (might need a extra 200ml)
5 tbsp curry powder
5 garlic cloves
3 red onions
4 bay leaves
Method
Pour the rice in a bowl and rinse under cold water, drain and set aside. Get your peppers, fresh tomatoes, garlic and ginger in a food processor and blitz until smooth. Dice your onion, put it in a bowl and then set aside. Heat the oil in a large casserole-style dish over a medium heat and add in your diced onions, frying until caramelised. Then, add in the tomato purée over 2-3 mins, stirring often. Add the blitzed pepper mixture and fry for an additional 5 minutes, then adding the herbs, spices and 1 tsp salt. Fry for a further 1-2 mins, then stir in the rice to coat. Pour in the stock and stir, cooking on a low heat. This allows the rice to absorb the sauce properly, cook evenly, and not burn on the bottom! Stirring minimally ensures evenly cooked rice while keeping the grains separate. Et voilà, you have a dish that is just screaming to be taken to a celebration!
Whether you’re craving their Egusi, Ntaba, or Jollof Rice (that you haven’t had to cook yourself) from the cosy corners of your own home, Le Mandela offers South Wales delivery every Sunday. There’s really nothing stopping you getting your flavoursome fix!
To book a table or view the Le Mandela menu: www.lemandelarestaurant.com
To order for Sunday delivery, call or WhatsApp: 07311375078
