It's spring, yet we can still have comforting dishes... wouldn't you agree? "Greek" Rice or Arroz à Grega is one of those dishes. It's easy, quick, and colorful. It looks so festive that it makes me smile!
It is made with rice -- of course-- as well as assorted vegetables that can vary from one recipe to the next, raisins, and sometimes cubed ham. Regardless of variations in its ingredients, it's a complete meal! Greek rice can be served as a side for chicken. Since I put ham in mine, I serve it all by itself.
Although given the name "GREEK," this rice dish is, in fact, BRAZILIAN. 🙂 I searched... and searched for the origin of its name, only to come away without any explanation. That's when I told myself that it was time to consult Panos and Mirella, from Little Cooking Tips, my favorite Greek food blog.
According to them, in Greece there is no such rice dish per se, although many folks there use raisins, vegetables, or ham/sausage mixed with rice as ingredients for stuffing tomatoes, bell peppers, or chicken/lamb. Most likely this name was given to the dish by Greeks living abroad using the rice stuffing recipe as a main or side dish. It is so good to find answers!!!!
But don't you worry! The most important thing of all is flavor... and boy, "Greek" rice sure delivers, in every single spoonful.
Bom Apetite!
"Greek" Rice (Arroz à Grega)
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ medium white onion small diced
- ½ cup cubed carrots
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 cups parboiled rice uncooked
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth, for a vegetarian version)
- ¾ teaspoon salt or more if necessary. Amount will vary depending on how salty the broth is
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup cubed ham (for a vegetarian version, skip this ingredient)
- ½ cup corn cooked
- ½ cup peas cooked
- ¼ cup green onions chopped
Instructions
- To prepare Greek rice, heat the oil over medium heat in large pan and sauté both the the onion and carrots, stirring occasionally, until onion has softened (don't let brown). Add the garlic and cook for about 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly to not let brown. Add the rice, sauteeing for about 2 minutes (do not let brown). Add the broth and let come to a boil. Add salt and pepper, and stir. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover pan. Let rice cook for about 15 minutes or until al dente. Taste and adjust salt if necessary.
- Fluff rice with a fork and mix in the raisins, ham, cooked corn and peas, and green onions. Serve Greek rice hot (sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese on top, if desired) by itself as a main dish or as a side for chicken.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
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Mauro says
I am Brazilian....and in Brazil when something is complicated ...we call it "Greek" ....and if is stupid ..."Portuguese"....she is Greek ...or he is Greek ...the person doesn't need to be from Greece necessarily....is a expression for someone who makes anything easy into something dramatic and complicated....now ...rice just need hot water and a bit salty usually...the receipt above sounds as a hell of work to get all the ingredients and cook and even so I cant certainly guarantee that'swhy is called ARROZ A GREGA ....It may very well be .
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thank you for the explanation, Mauro! That might be why -- although I think this rice is quite easy to make. It is actually a variation of rice pilaf and because of it, uplevel compared to a simple white rice.
Wishing you an awesome week! Thank you for stopping by and for your comment.
Pat says
Hi Denise,
I’m also from Brazil, and no, we do not call something complicated greek, or we do not belittle people just because of their birthplace. Brazilian and Portuguese people make popular and harmless jokes about each other. That said your rice recipe is fantastic, delicious, and easy to make, and it’s a reference for me each time I want to make it to check the ingredients I should be using.
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thank you, Pat! I am glad you enjoy our Greek rice recipe. I remember my mother and aunts used to make it for Christmas to serve with roast turkey.
As for the explanation about the term "Greek" for a Brazilian rice is not mine. In fact, if you had the chance to read my post, I said I couldn't find any explanation for it.
I also consulted some Greek friends,and they said there is no such recipe or anything similar to it in Greece. I hope you have a Merry Christmas!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
This sounds delicious, Denise! Reminds me a lot of Biriyani that we have in Sri Lanka!
Amira says
Hmm a Greek rice that is not so Greek after all :). Loved the recipe and the variations are endless.