Jollof Rice, A West African Staple

Ingredients

• 2 medium tomatoes (roughly chopped (about 5 ounces each))
• 1/2 medium Scotch bonnet pepper (or use a habanero pepper, stem removed)
• 1/2 medium onion (roughly chopped)
• 3 small red bell peppers (roughly chopped (about 5 ounces each))
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons hot ground chili pepper (such as African dried chili or cayenne)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon plus
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 2 1/2 cups medium-grain rice
• Water (as needed)