My first Product Review. Yaaaaaaaaaaay. I was contacted by a budding entrepreneur, (Ebenezer) who asked if he could send his packaged Ofada rice to me for a product review. I was excited to say the least. Ooooooh, I love the idea of a Product Review. This is even more special because it is a product that is just hitting the market, and I feel truly blessed to be able to support a start-up. I know it is not easy and I praise and salute Ebenezer’s courage to go into business. I hope you all support him en-masse. He is supplying a product that we all love and for many of us who live outside of Nigeria, you can add crave to the list.
What is the product? Well, just in case you were distracted, I am introducing Clevenard Ofada rice. This is packaged Ofada rice without the stones. For some of us who grew up picking this rice ad nauseam, this must be a welcome relief. If you have only ever eaten Ofada rice at parties for this same reason, or if by some weird chance, you enjoy the rice but have never cooked it at home before, well listen up. Ofada rice is only a click of a button away. Order, enjoy and serve with my Ayamase. Enjoy the real authentic combination. Trust me, I have been making dozens of posts of ayamase, but when combined with proper Ofada rice, ooooooooooh, it felt good. Veeeeeeeery good. All I needed was the local Moin Moin leaves and match, set, score. I am on the hunt for those leaves today, I want the full monty experience.
So, here’s the Product Review:
First, the packaging. I was sent a 500g pack, (it also comes in 1kg) with the Clevenard brand shown clearly. On the side of the box, you can find Contact details such as the website, phone numbers (Nigeria and UK), customer care email address, and corporate email address. On the back of the box, you will find Nutritional fact results, calories per 100g, and instructions for preparation. You also get to read a brief piece about the umbrella organisation that supports the company.
Opening the box, the ofada rice grains are sealed in a clear plastic bag, which you will have to tear open. I haven’t seen raw Ofada rice in ages, I had forgotten the grains were mush smaller, with a greyish brown hue. I remember my eyes widening when I opened the packet. You can tell that this is the real unpolished rice. Checking for stones, I didn’t see any. The only non rice component, are a few flecks of the leaves.
Pouring the rice into a bowl of water to rinse, this was my result, after rubbing the grains through my fingers to get rid of any dirt and dust. I decanted the grey water.
By the second rinse, the water was much clearer
I decided to give it a third and final rinse, and I was quite satisfied. You can see the Ofada rice grains below, quite clean and ready to be cooked
I split the rice into two small pots, to test for taste and texture. I added enough water to cook the rice in both pots.
To Pot 1, I added just salt
To Pot 2, I added a little oil, chopped onions and salt.
I had to take a shot of the contents of the bottom of the bowl, so you can see that there was little or no sand at the bottom and not one single stone in sight.
I left both pots to boil on high heat, they both bubbled and boiled the way rice is supposed to, nothing different and in 15minutes, the rice grains had absorbed water and plumped up beautifully. I needed a little extra top up of water in both pots though, but 5 minutes after it was gorgeous. If you are worried about the smell of Ofada rice boiling, use the Pot 2 method and you should have no problems. In fact, I quite enjoyed Pot 2, so much so that I descended on it immediately with Ofada sauce. The only pictures I have for Pot 2, were the ones I used for plating below.
Here is Pot 1, soft, plump and oh so Ofada. It wasn’t soggy one bit. It behaved exactly as it should.
The aroma just brings back memories
Remember my Pot 2, well here are shots of what I could salvage after my spoon descended on it. I found that I preferred the extra flavour of the oil and chopped red onions.
Now imagine yourself eating Ofada rice and Ofada sauce. Come on, imagine it. How does it feel. Uhmmmm, the aroma of the real thing, paired with Ayamase. Okay, stop salivating now and order. I recommend it.
Ebenezer has graciously agreed to give you guys a 10% discount for Easter. Imagine how pleased and surprised your guests are going to be this Easter when you serve delicious Ayamase with the real Ofada rice. I definitely know mine would, my secret weapon to host this Easter. Shhhhhhhhhh, don’t tell them.
To order your Clevenard Ofada Rice at £4.99 per 1kg pack, please click HERE. Remember your 10% discount. Use the promo code DOONEYSKITCHEN. All one word.Thank you Ebenezer.
If you have a product you want to get out there, send it to me and I would do a Product Review. I have one more coming up, and it is just as exciting as this one. I sure hope you guys order this rice. Take a break from your normal everyday rice and enjoy the taste of home. Well done Ebenezer and I wish you all the best of luck in business.