Metemgee – Classic
This is the traditional, time-tested version of the dish. It stays true to its origins, using well-established techniques and ingredients that define its authentic flavor. A perfect starting point for exploring its evolution.
Country: 
Guyana Servings: Serves 6
Guyana Servings: Serves 6Metemgee is a traditional Guyanese stew, deeply rooted in the culinary heritage of Guyana. This hearty dish combines various root vegetables, ripe plantains, and fluffy coconut dumplings known as ‘duff,’ simmered in a rich coconut milk broth flavored with herbs and spices. Originally crafted as a nourishing meal for laborers on plantations, Metemgee showcases the diverse agricultural bounty of Guyana and the fusion of African, Indian, and Indigenous influences that characterize its cuisine.
Ingredients
- salted meat (beef or pork) – 1 lb / 450 g
- water – 6 cups / 1.4 L
- coconut milk – 2 cups / 480 ml
- yam – 1 lb / 450 g, peeled and cubed
- sweet potatoes – 1 lb / 450 g, peeled and cubed
- cassava – 1 lb / 450 g, peeled and cubed
- eddoes (taro root) – 1 lb / 450 g, peeled and cubed
- plantains – 2 ripe, sliced
- scotch bonnet pepper – 1 whole
- thyme – 3 sprigs
- onion – 1 medium, chopped
- garlic – 4 cloves, minced
- coconut oil – 1 tbsp / 15 ml
- flour – 2 cups / 240 g
- baking powder – 2 tsp / 8 g
- sugar – 1 tsp / 5 g
- salt – 1 tsp / 5 g
- black pepper – to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the salted meat and cook in a pot with 6 cups of water until tender. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, add coconut oil and sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.
- Pour in coconut milk and add the tender meat, yam, sweet potatoes, cassava, eddoes, and plantains.
- Season with whole scotch bonnet pepper, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes or until vegetables are fork-tender.
- For the duff, mix flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add water to form a dough, divide into small balls, and gently place them in the stew.
- Simmer for an additional 15 minutes until the dumplings are fluffy and cooked through.
Substitutions
- salted meat (beef or pork) -> smoked meat or vegetarian meat substitute
- eddoes (taro root) -> russet potatoes
- scotch bonnet pepper -> jalapeño pepper
Enhancements in the Next Evolution
- Marinate salted meat with garlic, thyme, and pepper for more depth of flavor.
- Add a dash of curry powder or turmeric to the coconut broth for extra warmth.
- Incorporate fresh herbs like cilantro to garnish and add a fresh element before serving.
Curious to see how this dish evolves? Discover refined flavors and enhanced techniques in the next version.
