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WE'VE all been there — you cooked a big pot of rice, and now you're left with a mountain of leftovers. Instead of letting it go to waste or resigning yourself to several meals of reheated plain rice, why not get creative in the kitchen? With just a few simple ingredients and some leftover cooked rice, you can whip up incredible dishes. Get ready for culinary inspiration as we present 10 mouth-watering recipes that will transform your leftover rice into something deliciously new.
1. Vegetable Fried Rice
Fried rice is an absolute staple in many Asian cuisines, and it's also the perfect way to use up leftover cooked rice. In a hot pan, stir-fry diced vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and peas. Add the cold rice along with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and any desired seasonings. Cook until heated through and serve as a satisfying main dish or side.
2. Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
Give your leftover rice a comforting twist by turning it into a cheesy broccoli casserole. Prepare a creamy cheese sauce using butter, milk, cheddar cheese, and spices. Steam some broccoli florets until tender. Mix the cheese sauce, broccoli, and cooked rice together. Transfer everything into a baking dish, top with additional cheese if desired, and bake until golden and bubbly.
3. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Transform those bell peppers sitting in your fridge into delectable stuffed treats. Sauté onions, garlic, minced meat (optional), and spices. Then mix this filling with your leftover rice before stuffing it into cut bell peppers. Place them upright on a baking tray, pour tomato sauce over each pepper, and bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is cooked through.
4. Rice Pudding
Leftover rice can easily be transformed into a creamy and comforting dessert. Make a simple rice pudding by simmering your rice in milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and spices like cinnamon or cardamom, stirring occasionally. Cook until the mixture thickens to your desired consistency. Serve warm or chilled with a sprinkle of nuts or dried fruits on top.
5. Arancini
Arancini, or Italian rice balls, are a delightful way to use up leftover rice. Mix cold risotto (Italian-style cooked rice) with grated cheese, eggs, breadcrumbs, and herbs. Form small balls, dip them in beaten egg, roll them in breadcrumbs, and fry until golden brown. Serve these crispy bites as an appetiser or snack with marinara sauce for dipping.
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6. Curried Rice Salad
Create a vibrant and flavourful salad by mixing leftover cooked rice with diced vegetables, such as cucumber, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, coriander leaves. Add some lemon juice, yoghurt, cumin powder, turmeric powder, chilli flakes, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together well for an Indian-inspired dish that's perfect for lunch or as a side at dinner.
7. Rice Pancakes
Turn your leftover rice into delicious pancakes for breakfast. In a bowl, mix the cold rice with flour, eggs, milk, baking powder, a pinch of salt, a hint of sweetness (optional), and any other desired flavourings such as vanilla essence or cinnamon. Heat oil in a pan, pour ladlefuls of batter onto it. Cook each pancake until golden on both sides. Top them off with fresh fruit, maple syrup, honey, or yoghurt.
8. Rice Fritters
Transform your leftover rice into crispy fritters by combining it with grated vegetables like courgette, carrots, onion, eggs, breadcrumbs, herbs, and spices. Shape this mixture into small patties and fry them until golden brown on both sides. Serve these crunchy delights with yoghurt dip, sweet chilli sauce, or mint chutney for a delightful snack.
9. Rice and Bean Burritos
Transform your leftover rice into a filling and nutritious meal by making rice and bean burritos. Sauté onions, garlic, bell peppers, and your choice of beans (such as black beans or kidney beans) in a pan. Add spices like cumin, paprika, and chilli powder for extra flavour. Stir in the cooked rice until well combined. Warm up tortillas on a griddle or in the microwave, then spoon the rice mixture onto each tortilla along with toppings like shredded cheese, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. Roll them up tightly into burritos and enjoy!
10. Rice Salad Rolls
For a refreshing twist on traditional spring rolls, use leftover cooked rice to create delicious rice salad rolls packed with vibrant flavours. Soak round sheets of rice paper in warm water until pliable. Lay them flat on a clean surface and fill each sheet with thinly sliced vegetables such as cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, and fresh herbs like mint or coriander. Add some avocado slices for added creaminess. Then add small portions of cold cooked rice. Roll everything tightly, folding over the sides as you go. Serve these colourful rolls with peanut dipping sauce or sweet chilli sauce for an appetising snack or light lunch option.
Don't let that bowl of leftover cooked rice languish in the back of your fridge. Instead, get creative in the kitchen and transform it into something wholesome. From vegetable fried rice to cheesy broccoli casserole, the possibilities are endless. With these 10 recipes, you'll never look at leftover rice quite the same way again.
