Shito and jollof rice
Jollof rice is West Africa's most famous dish. A spoon of shito is how you take it to the next level.
Why shito and jollof work
Jollof is smoky, tomatoey and savoury. Shito brings concentrated dried-fish umami and chilli heat that lifts every grain. The two share a flavour family, so the sauce deepens the rice rather than fighting it.
At parties and Sunday dinners across Ghana and the diaspora, a bowl of shito sits next to the jollof for exactly this reason.
How to serve it
Serve a small spoon of shito on the side of each plate of jollof, or stir half a teaspoon through the rice as you eat. Add fried plantain, grilled chicken or fish and you have the full plate.
Because shito is salty and intense, taste as you go — you can always add more.
Heat levels
For a family table, Mild shito lets everyone help themselves without overwhelming the dish. For chilli lovers, Hot or Extra Hot adds a serious kick.