Every Indian household usually has some amount of leftover dinner. As much as we dislike having the same thing we had for dinner, for breakfast, our dear mothers insist not to waste that leftover dinner. Rice is one of the most left-out products at consumers. We tend to cook too much too quickly. Having the same cooked rice we had as dinner, as breakfast can be boresome. So here are 20 interesting recipes, to make out of leftover rice that are lip-smacking! No more bore-bore!
1. Rice Pudding
For those early morning sweet tooth cravings, this easy 5-minute recipe would win your hearts. All you need to do is combine 2 cups of leftover rice with 2 cups of milk in a saucepan and add three spoons of sugar and a pinch of salt. Keep stirring on medium flame until it thickens and removes from the stove and add five drops of vanilla essence. You can top it with whipped cream, dry fruits and chopped chocolate to add more calories.
2. Sushi
Why pay for sushi in expensive Japanese restaurants when you can make it at home with the leftover rice? This Japanese delicacy is as tasty as it’s easy to make! On a bamboo mat lay down nori sheets with the shiny side down and spread rice evenly on it, leaving the edge open to roll. After that, add tofu, minced avocado, carrot, spring onion mixture or tuna pieces for the filling and bind the sushi in a roll using the bamboo sheet as a guide. Now cut the sushi roll into 2-inch pieces and enjoy with soy sauce.
3. Stuffed Tomato
These stuffed tomatoes taste heavenly and are so healthy. To make these cut out the tomato tops and reserve them. Scoop out the seeds from the tomato and transfer it to a bowl. Toss the rice with three spoons of the tomato juice taken out in a bowl, olive oil, garlic and chopped onions. Place the hollowed out tomatoes in a pan. Fill these tomatoes with stuffed rice and top it with cheese to give it a slight tangy texture. Cover with the tops and drizzle with olive oil. On a medium flame cover the pan and cook for about seven minutes, or until the tomato bottoms are golden browns. Serve hot with green chutney.
4. Cold Asian Rice Salad
After a hard workout we all need low carb, protein rich diet. Salads are always the answer, so why not try this salad with the leftover rice? To make this, in a bowl, take one cup leftover rice and add minced garlic, water chestnuts, chopped carrots, green onions and peanuts. In a small jar, combine two spoons peanut oil, one spoon vinegar, and ¼ spoon sugar and mix well. Pour it over the salad to enhance the taste.
5. Italian Rice Balls
Are you tired of your kids not eating their lunch and bringing it back as it is from school? These super cheesy rice balls could be the answer to a mother’s prayers for a healthy and tasty lunchbox! In a large bowl mix, one cup of cooked rice with three slices of mozzarella cheese (diced) and ½ cup grated Romano cheese. Sprinkle with garlic powder and black pepper and bind together with one beaten egg. Make into balls and dip them in beaten egg mixture and roll in bread-crumbs. Heat the oil and fry the rice balls until crisp golden. Soak the extra oil with a tissue paper. Serve with tomato ketchup.
6. Fried Rice
This is the most common use of leftover rice by Indians, and yet, we all love to have this delicacy! In a pan heat oil, and add garlic cloves, chopped onions, green chili and curry leaves. Throw in some diced potatoes and let them cook. Now add the leftover rice and add salt, red chilli powder and turmeric powder. Garnish with chopped coriander.
7. Rice burritos
We all love to have Mexican dishes and this dish sure makes perfect use of all the leftover rice! In a large skillet melt one-tablespoon butter, garlic, and onion to it, now stir in chili powder, black pepper, cumin, cloves, nutmeg and paprika and cook for two minutes. Add boiled black beans and tomato paste and simmer for about ten minutes or until the flavors blend on medium flame. Remove from heat and now spread each tortilla with ½ cup cooked rice and 1/3rd cup bean mixture. Wrap them, and they are ready to savor!
8. Rice croquettes
Thinking of new meals now and they could be very tiring. These rice croquettes are a good use of all the leftover rice and a great side dish for every type of meal. In a large saucepan sauté onion in oil until tender. Add veggies according to your choice. Add rice, one beaten egg, pepper and let it cool. Now roll them into log-like shapes with wet hand and fry until crisp golden. Serve with tomato ketchup or as a side dish.
9. Dolmas
This delicious traditional Turkish dish is a combination of spices and would surely twist your tongue! In a saucepan, add oil and sauté onions, to this mixture add rice, tomato paste, pine nuts, cinnamon, mint leaves and cumin. Remove from heat and let it cool. Wash the grape leaves in warm water and cut off the stems. Place the rice mixture and roll in a cigar shape. Steam them on low heat for 20 minutes. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over them before serving.
10. Rice patty burger
Homemade burgers? Use leftover rice right away using this fabulous recipe. In a large bowl, mix cheese, beaten egg, leftover rice, chopped onions, salt, garlic, and pepper. Now cover this bowl and let it refrigerate for at least 30 mins. Make rice patties from rice mixture and fry until golden brown. Place in between burger buns and top with lettuce, tomato, onion rings and ketchup.
11. Rice muffin
This quick finger food is a great appetizer. Mix grated cheese, rice, one beaten egg, black olives and desired veggies, place them in a muffin tin, and bake for 10-15 minutes at 400. Take out and serve hot.
12. Rice pancakes
We all loved pancakes for breakfast growing up. These rice pancakes with a twist are sure to tickle your taste buds. In a bowl mix cooked rice and one beaten egg, make a pancake shaped cake and cook in a large saucepan with butter until bottoms are brown. Flip and repeat. Sprinkle cooked pancakes with a little parmesan and serve immediately.
13. Rice bowl with fried eggs
In a skillet heat oil and sauté vegetables such as mushroom, broccoli and bell pepper, add salt and the leftover rice. Now over a nonstick pan, crack an egg over oil and cook a fried egg, about two minutes. Place the rice in a bowl and top with the fried egg.
14. Rice Dosa
When there is no more dosa batter left in the fridge, but you still crave those crispy yummy dosas, put the leftover rice to the rescue! In a mixer grinder, add the rice, curd, little water and green chillies and grind well. Empty in a bowl and add some rice flour, salt and add water to make it consistent. Your dosa batter is ready! Use it to make dosas the usual way!
15. Curd rice
This flavorful and soothing traditional south Indian dish is one of the most demanded dish. Easiest to make, this wholesome dish can be made by mixing rice with curds and mashing well in a bowl. Now heat mustard oil in a pan and sauté urad dal in it, add chilies, and curry leaves. Pour this over the prepared rice and curd mixture and mix well.
16. Cooked rice idli
Soft, spongy idlis any time of the day with the leftover rice! In a mixer blend curd, water and rice, empty this mixture in a bowl and add eno powder and rice flour. Apply oil to the idli maker and pour the batter. Steam until the dough rises. Serve with coconut chutney!
17.
Green lemon chicken soup
Chicken soups are always soul satisfying. In a large saucepan, combine chicken broth, carrots, and onion. Bring to boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in cooked, cubed chicken and remove from heat. Add the cooked rice. Take a saucepan and melt butter in it and stir in flour in it until smooth. Now add 2 cups of the broth mixture and cook this until it slightly thickens, stirring constantly. Now take a small bowl, and beat the eggs in it until frothy. Pour lemon juice and 2 cups broth into the large pot of soup. In the end, slowly add the egg mixture to the soup, stirring constantly. Cook until soup thickens. Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with lemon.
18. Cabbage Rolls
Cabbage rolls not only look delicious but also are a delight. This super healthy rice stuffed dish is the answer to your high tea snack issues! In a bowl mix cooked rice, salt, black pepper, peas, capsicum and roll this mixture in cabbage leaves. In a saucepan heat one spoon butter and place these rolls, cover it and cook these rolls on a medium flame for five minutes. Serve hot with ketchup.
19. Rice stuffed parantha
Paranthas are the perfect Indian breakfast. To make rice parantha- sauté onions, tomato and rice in vegetable oil and add salt, red chili powder and turmeric powder to it. Now mash it and allow it to cool. Knead the flour dough and roll small chapattis. Now fill these chapattis with the rice mixture and roll again into paranthas. Apply oil on the tawa and cook the paratha. Serve with curd and butter.
20. Stuffed Mushrooms
Mushrooms are not only healthy but tasty. Try these rice stuffed mushrooms for a quick, healthy snack! Remove the mushroom stem and wash the mushrooms thoroughly. In a pan heat oil and sauté onion and garlic. Now add the rice and salt. Sprinkle some black pepper and mix well. Let the mixture cool for some time. Fill this mixture in the mushrooms and place them in a pan on low flame. Drizzle with oil and cover the lid. They are ready to eat in 3 minutes.
