Tip for using leftover rice ...
The Bacillus cereus spores in uncooked rice are known to cause food poisoning. Even after cooking, these spores can survive, and may multiply if the rice is left at room temperature for too long. If you intend to use the leftovers, it is imperative to store the cooked rice in a refrigerator, within an hour of cooking.Whether you want an elaborate dinner or a simple meal at home, cheap and easy-to-cook rice is the staple diet for a lot of people around the world. From the creamy, delicious risotto, to mouth-watering Chinese fried rice, there are many versions of rice made around the world. While we may love a pot of freshly cooked rice, leftover rice that has been pushed back into your fridge, may not be that appealing the next day. Not only is cold rice difficult to heat, but it can taste quite unpleasant as well. If rice is a part of your regular diet, then there is sure to be some leftover rice that gets thrown out after a day or two. Is that the only solution for leftover rice then? Maybe not.
While it may not taste great on its own when reheated, leftover rice can be used for making a number of tasty treats. These recipes not only prevent wastage of food, but provide you with a quick-fix solution for your weekend cooking woes. Here are some great recipes that you can make with leftover rice.
10 Things to Do with Leftover Rice
Fried Rice
The best and easiest way to use leftover rice is by making a quick and simple fried rice. As fried rice tends to get all mushy with just-made rice, cold leftovers are great for this recipe. The best part is that you can customize the fried rice to make it just the way you like it. You can add cut vegetables, such as carrots and green peppers, onions, tomatoes, eggs, bacon or chicken to the fried rice. Flavor the dish with some minced garlic and soy sauce. For a spicier version, try chili powder and cumin powder as well.
Arancini
Worried about how to reuse that leftover risotto in your fridge? Try making arancini―a fried rice ball that is an Italian delicacy. The cooled risotto from the fridge can be rolled into balls, coated with breadcrumbs, and then shallow fried. If you want to use cooked plain rice for this dish, then cook the rice with some chopped onions, meat, vegetables, chicken stock, three tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Allow the cooked rice to cool down before rolling them into balls. Coat the balls with beaten egg and breadcrumbs before frying.
Rice Rissoles
Rice rissoles are tasty rice patties that are browned on either side to achieve that crispy perfection. You can make it with white rice or brown rice. Mix the leftover rice with onions, ground chicken or tuna, fresh sage, salt, and pepper. Add beaten eggs, and stir well. Refrigerate for an hour. Shape the cooled rice and chicken mixture into patties. Dip the patties in beaten eggs and breadcrumbs before frying them. Serve the rice rissoles with sauce and fresh salad.
Rice Pudding
A creamy dessert that is made with rice, milk and different flavorings. Homemade rice pudding is simple to make and a great way to use leftover rice. Simmer or bake leftover rice with milk, sugar, spices like nutmeg, eggs and flavorings like orange, to make delicious rice pudding. Instead of sugar, add honey or maple syrup for a healthier version of rice pudding.
Rice Soup
Soup is the ideal dish to use any leftover rice, vegetables, and chicken. Place a pot over medium heat. Add some olive oil to the pot. Tip in chopped onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and bay leaf. Cook for ten minutes before adding chicken broth and water. Add leftover rice and shredded chicken. Cook for half an hour before serving the delicious and healthy rice soup.
Dolmades
A popular Greek delicacy, dolmades are made by stuffing vine leaves with rice, pine nuts, and lemon zest. Prepare the rice stuffing by mixing long-grain leftover rice with toasted pine nuts, minced dill, some fresh mint, and lemon zest. Soften the grape leaves in water before adding the rice filling, and rolling it. Simmer or bake the dolmades for thirty minutes, and serve the delicious appetizer with tahini sauce.
Stuffed Vegetables
Combine the leftover rice with onion, garlic, tomatoes, feta cheese, and various herbs and spices. Additions like corn or olives, add an extra crunch to the dish. Stuff them into vegetables, like red and green peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants for a healthy wholesome meal. You can microwave or bake the vegetables in the oven to cook them. Serve this dish with grilled chicken or fish.
Rice Salad
Rice salad is the prefect quick-fix recipe for those days when you are just too tired to cook. Not only is this healthy, but amazingly appetizing as well. Chop vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes and cucumbers. Mix these with the leftover rice. You can add sweet corn and peas as well. Add soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Use a fork to mix all the ingredients well.
Instead of vegetables, you can use protein-rich beans for the salad. Mix cooked red beans with rice, tomatoes, and onions. Mix salt, garlic powder, basil, thyme, oregano, and olive oil in a bowl. Pour the dressing over the rice and beans salad, and mix well.
Rice Burgers
Add an innovative touch to your traditional burgers, by replacing the bread buns with sticky rice disks. If you have leftover Thai sticky rice, then form the rice into flat, dense patties, and shallow-fry till they turn crispy and golden.
Rice Burritos
Chicken and rice burritos, that are stuffed with yummy guacamole and sour cream, are a tasty treat that can be made with leftover rice. Heat a large skillet and mix cooked rice with corn, onions, beans, rice, and salsa. In a medium-sized bowl, mix cooked chicken with pepper and cheese. Place the rice mixture over warmed tortillas, and then spoon half a cup of chicken mixture. Fold the tortillas, and place them on a warm grill for two to three minutes.
With these tasty and easy solutions for using leftover rice, you no longer need to throw away the extra rice. Just use any of these recipes to make a quick, inexpensive meal for yourself and your entire family.
