World Flavors Cookbook

Guyana Recipes

Guyanese cuisine is a unique fusion of Indigenous, African, East Indian, Chinese, Portuguese, and British influences. It is famous for its hearty stews like Pepperpot, diverse rice dishes like Cook-up Rice, and a vibrant street food culture featuring various rotis and fritters. The use of cassareep (bitter cassava extract), scotch bonnet peppers, and aromatic spices defines its bold and comforting character.

Recipes from Guyana

• Pepperpot

  Guyana's national dish; a dark, rich meat stew thickened with cassareep (bitter cassava extract) and flavored with warming spices.

• Cook-Up Rice

  A flavorful one-pot dish of rice, beans, and meat cooked in coconut milk, symbolizing Guyanese unity.

• Pholourie (Chickpea Fritters)

  Spicy, golden-fried dough balls made from chickpea flour, a favorite street snack.

• Dhal Puri (Split Pea Flatbread)

  A soft flatbread stuffed with a savory layer of seasoned ground yellow split peas.

• Metemgee (Root Vegetable Stew)

  A rich and thick Afro-Guyanese stew made with various root vegetables and dumplings cooked in coconut milk.

• Guyanese Black Cake

  A dense, dark fruit cake made from rum-soaked fruits, an essential centerpiece for weddings and Christmas.

• Garlic Pork

  Pickled pork infused with an intense amount of garlic and vinegar, a Portuguese legacy in Guyana.

• Guyanese Chow Mein

  A stir-fried noodle dish with a distinct Guyanese twist, featuring local seasonings and a variety of meats.

• Guyanese Fried Rice

  Dark and flavorful fried rice cooked with soy sauce, local herbs, and often served with fried chicken.

• Salara (Red Coconut Roll)

  A striking red-filled sweet bread roll made with sweetened coconut.

• Pine Tart

  Crispy, triangular pastries filled with a sweet pineapple jam.

• Cheese Roll

  Flaky pastry rolls stuffed with a savory, spicy cheese filling.

• Cassava Pone

  A dense, chewy, and moist cake made from grated cassava, coconut, and spices.

• Conane (Cornmeal Porridge)

  A smooth and creamy cornmeal porridge flavored with milk and spices, often eaten for breakfast.

• Mauby

  A traditional Caribbean beverage made from the bark of the Mauby tree, known for its unique bitter-sweet taste.

• Guyanese Chicken Curry

  A bold Indo-Guyanese chicken curry cooked with potatoes and a specific blend of local masalas.

• Egg Ball

  A unique street food consisting of a hard-boiled egg encased in a seasoned cassava mash and deep-fried.

• Guyanese Fish Cake

  Savory fried patties made from salted or fresh fish mixed with herbs and spices.

• Bakes (Fried Dough)

  Simple, airy fried dough rounds, a staple breakfast accompaniment in Guyana.

• Paratha Roti (Oil Roti)

  A flaky, multi-layered flatbread made by layering dough with oil or ghee, often called "Bus-up Shut."

• Guyanese Pumpkin Curry

  A savory-sweet pumpkin curry slow-cooked with spices until it forms a thick mash.

• Fried Fish with Bakes

  Crispy fried fish served with warm bakes, a classic coastal breakfast or lunch.

• Sawine

  A sweet and creamy vermicelli pudding flavored with cardamom and raisins.

• Pera (Milk Fudge)

  A sweet and dense milk fudge flavored with cardamom, a common festive treat.

• Mithai (Fried Dough Sticks)

  Crunchy, fried dough sticks coated in a white sugary glaze.

• Boil and Fry Cassava

  Boiled root vegetables sautéed with onions and salted fish or meat.

• Saltfish and Bakes

  Sautéed salted cod served with freshly fried bakes, the definitive Guyanese breakfast.

• Guyanese Ginger Beer

  A potent and spicy fermented ginger drink, a holiday tradition.

• Sorrel Drink

  A deep red, spiced beverage made from dried hibiscus petals.

• Chicken Curry with Roti

  A complete meal of spicy chicken curry served with soft paratha roti.

• Guyanese Beef Curry

  Tender chunks of beef slow-cooked in a spicy and aromatic curry sauce.

• Vermicelli Cake

  A dense and sweet cake made from toasted vermicelli and condensed milk.

• Sadha Roti (Plain Flatbread)

  A simple, thick, and healthy roasted flatbread, often eaten for breakfast.

• Guyanese Fish Curry

  A tangy and spicy fish curry often flavored with tamarind or green mango.

• Crunchy Mithai

  A smaller, crunchier version of the glazed dough sticks.