Rice Medley – Traditional Guyanese Vegetable and Rice Dish

Rice Medley is one of Guyana’s few traditional rice dishes. Unlike Fried Rice and Cook-up, the rice is cooked first and then mixed with vegetables. Perhaps this dish emerged out of necessity like oil and rice or salt and rice. Nevertheless, it is a nutritious meal and delicious too. Rice Medley is also sold in many restaurants like Grand Coast and Palm Court as a local food. Read on to learn more about this Guyanese dish and how to prepare it.

About Rice Medley

Rice Medley is typically a mixture of either brown or white rice and vegetables. The rice is steamed or cooked before preparing this dish and then sauteed with tons of vegetables! While the main carbohydrate of the dish is the rice, protein and minerals come from the wide assortment of meats and vegetables used to prepare this Guyanese dish. Local vegetables like tomatoes, celery, peppers, squash and green peas are some of the vegetables that can be used. For the protein, chicken is sometimes used, as well as sausages and bacon. Seafood like clams, shrimp, squid can be used instead of these for a scrumptious Seafood Rice Medley.

How to Cook Rice Medley

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3/4 cup uncooked long-grain rice
• 1 small sweet red pepper, finely chopped
• 1-1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup white wine or additional reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

Method

Rice Medley – Guyanese Style

Ingredients

• 4 pt cooked rice
• 6 oz margarine
• 8 tbsp chopped celery
• 8 oz sausages (Cut into pieces)
• 6 eggs
• salt
• black pepper
• 8 oz grated cheese
• 8 oz streaky bacon (Grilled and Crumbled)
• 2 green sweet peppers
• 2 to 3 firm, ripe tomatoes

Method

1. Melt the margarine in a large frying pan or skillet and saute celery until tender but not brown.
2. Add rice, sausages, eggs, salt and black pepper to taste. Heat thoroughly and stir constantly.
3. Pour into a buttered casserole then top with cheese and bacon, after that, brown lightly under the grill for 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Garnish with sliced green sweet peppers and tomato wedges.

Brown Rice Medley

Ingredients

• 4 cups of cooked brown rice
• 1 clove chopped garlic (chopped and add to rice while boiling)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• squash, chopped
• broccoli, chopped
• red and green peppers, chopped
• carrots, chopped
• Salt

Method

1. Wash rice and put to boil.
2. When done, leave to simmer in the pot.
3. Stir fry squash, broccoli, red and green peppers, carrots, onion and garlic.
4. Stir fry veggies, add onion and garlic to flavour.
5. Add vegetables to rice and stir well.
6. Remove from heat and serve.

Optional: You can also add celery or any other herbs when you’re adding the rice.

Rice Medley in Guyana

Rice Medley is just another of our Guyanese food representing our diverse culture. It is easy to make, especially if you have some leftover rice and need a quick meal.  To prepare a Seafood Rice Medley, use a combination of rice, clams, squid, octopus, shrimp to astound your guests or simply enjoy alone. You can use white or brown rice in preparing this dish, as well as vegetables and meats of your choice! It is entirely up to you. Tell us in the comments if you used any of the recipes above.

Article Reference

• http://www.guyanesefood.com/how-to-make-guyanese-rice-medley.html
• https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/colorful-rice-medley/
• https://speakingofwomenshealth.com/recipes/brown-rice-medley