Don’t let your rice go down the drain. We’ve all been there, cooking rice and ending up with way more than we actually need. There’s more than one way to cook rice, instead of tossing our, you can repurpose it. For one, it cuts down on food waste, and saves money, I mean who wouldn’t want that? In this article, we’re going to look at ways to repurpose your leftover rice.
Food Ideas
Rice Pudding: This leftover rice recipe uses leftover rice, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract with a sprinkle of cinnamon. All ingredients are mixed thoroughly, and poured into a saucepan. The mixture is cooled until it thickens up, resembling an oatmeal. You can add some fruits, nuts, or chocolate chips like you would oatmeal.
Rice Krispies: First, you’ll melt a slice of butter and marshmallows together. Once those are melted, mix them thoroughly with your leftover rice and some cereal. Press it all into a pan and let it set. When it cools, you can share them into sections and serve.
Fried Rice: This is usually the go to leftover rice recipe. This uses leftover rice and veggies like peas and carrots to make a new dish. Some people like to add other ingredients like eggs, ginger, garlic, and soy sauce for extra flavor. All you need to do is stir-fry the veggies, add in some eggs, and the other ingredients, then toss in your rice. You can also add some sauteed chopped meat, or seafood like shrimps.
Rice Pilaf: In a pan, sauté some onions in butter, then add chicken broth and herbs like thyme, mint, or parsley. Stir in your rice and cook until it’s all warmed through. If you’re feeling fancy, you can add some mushrooms, some shredded nuts, and any spice of your choice.
Rice Salad: Combine leftover rice with veggies like bell peppers, cucumbers, and corn. Add some vinaigrette. For protein, you can add some chicken or tofu, cheese would also be great for toppings or whatever toppings you want.
Can I Use Leftover Rice If It’s Been In The Fridge For A Few Days?
Definitely! As long as your rice has been stored properly and doesn’t have an off smell or slimy texture, it’s perfectly fine to use. Just make sure to reheat it thoroughly to kill any potential bacteria. If it’s been a week or more, though, you might want to give it a quick check for any signs of spoilage.
How Can I Make My Leftover Rice Taste Fresh Again?
A great way to revive leftover rice is by giving it a quick stir-fry. In a hot pan, add a bit of oil, some fresh veggies and seasonings. It brings back the flavor and also gives your rice a new texture. You can also splash a bit of water on it while reheating to keep it from drying out.
Conclusion
Don’t let your rice go down the drain. We’ve all cooked more rice than we need and faced the dilemma of what to do with the leftovers. Instead of tossing it, why not repurpose it? That way you can cut down on food waste and save money, who wouldn’t want that?
We explored various ways to transform leftover rice into delicious new dishes and answered some questions about using leftover rice, making sure it remains safe and tasty, and how to revive it if it loses its freshness.
