Rice left-overs? Day two! What do I do?

United States
May 31, 2007 12:18pm CST
Seems everytime I make rice I have tons left over. And, I don't want to throw them away. That's just wasteful. I was wondering if there are any really clever rice recipes that would help me recycle my leftovers into something my family would actually eat. Any ideas, or family favorite rice recipes you could share?
10 people like this
34 responses
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
31 May 07
Well with left over white rice what I like to do is heat it up a bit, pour some milk over and add sugar and raisins to it. I call it a pour man's rice pudding. There are also recipes for making rice pudding with already cooked rice. Below is a recipe for this: 2/3 cup raisins 2 eggs dash of salt 1 tbsp vanilla 2 1/4 cups milk 1/8 tsp nutmeg 3 tbsp. sugar 1 cup cooked rice walnuts or pecans (optional) Combine raisins and milk. Heat slowly to scald milk. Beat eggs with nutmeg, salt, sugar, and vanilla. Combine with cooked rice. Stir in hot milk and raisins. Pour into 1 quart casserole and place in shallow pan of hot water. Bake at 350 degrees 15 minutes. Sprinkle top with nuts and continue baking until custard is barely set in center, 10 to 15 minutes more. Place pudding dish in pan of cold water to cool quickly and keep custard creamy. Serve hot or cold topped with whipped cream. Hope this helps.
• United States
31 May 07
That sounds delicious! Nobody misses dessert around here. Will be sure to try that recipe very soon. Is that an old family favorite, like something your mom would have cooked? Or, did you come up with that yourself? It sounds amazing. I would have never thought to put that combination of ingredients together.
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
1 Jun 07
The first one, with just doing a bowl is an old family thing. The other is from a recipe book I have here. It's a paper back one and the front page is missing so I don't have the name of it :(
• United States
1 Jun 07
Well, either way, your recipes are divine! A nic change from what I normally do.
1 person likes this
@unishwetabh (1031)
• India
31 May 07
Left out rice......well no problem at all. Just add some chopped vegetables to it and fry everything in a dish pan for 5 minutes with low oil.......and there you are with the fried rice. Enjoy your meal.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 May 07
And, we love stir fry chinese, so that's perfect.
• India
31 May 07
Alright then make sure that you have enough rice left so that even i get something..lol...:)
1 person likes this
• United States
31 May 07
Will do! I've save you a bowl.
@twilight021 (2059)
• United States
31 May 07
I like making little rice patties that you can fry up... Rice Patties recipe 1 1/2 cups leftover cooked rice 2 eggs, blended with 2 tablespoons water Season to taste with season salt, and various spices 1/4 cup shredded sharp cheese optional: you can also add some diced veggies or leftover meat, just make sure you don't use anything too wet. Mix together all ingredients; form into patties. Fry in vegetable oil intil golden brown. These are good as a side dish, or a mail dish.
• United States
31 May 07
Sounds yummy! And, it cooks up pretty quick. That's very important. Thanks for the tip. I'll add it to my personal cookbook.
@aneekuh (133)
• Philippines
31 May 07
You could fry it then just put some garlic on it. It will smell and taste good=)
1 person likes this
• United States
31 May 07
Got rice! Got garlic! We're cooking tonight. Thanks for the cooking tips.
@marinarovi (1318)
• Argentina
31 May 07
Cold rice with tuna and mayonnaise... Cold rice, with pickles, and mayonnaise, and maybe tuna (if you like) and olives, all chopped little, and then you use that to fill in tomatoes. (you should make a big hole in the tomatoes and put some salt in it) you can also make "croquetas" but I don't know what to call them in english. It's like balls of rice, with some other stuff (your choice) and then you can either fry them or cook them in the oven. a really simple one: Just put a lot of cheese in the rice, microwave to melt it, and voila, new rice. You can also use rice as noodles for soup, it's really yummy, but I guess if you had a ton left, that would make a ton of soup, he he Good luck with your rice!!
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jun 07
Such an interesting recipe! I haven't tried anything as bold as tuna and mayo with cold rice. But, it does sound like a nice summer salad type dish. I'll add it to my list of dishes to try. Thanks.
• Argentina
1 Jun 07
You're welcome! You can also add chopped carrots, and corn, to the salad! Enjoy it!!
@clocks123 (1225)
• United States
27 Jul 07
in a pan put olive oil then few cans of tomato sauce add minced onions make this boil put your rice in it is rice and sauce i think you will like it
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Jul 07
Sounds very similar to tomatoes and rice. Another Southern favorite. Except that you use a can of diced tomatoes and cooked sausage and hot peppers in addition to the ingredients you mentioned. Thanks for the reminder. I had forgotten about this dish. I will give this a try.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
1 Jun 07
You've got some really good sounding recipes and ideas so far! If you can't use up all your leftover rice, it freezes very well, To use it, thaw it in the microwave and it's just like freshly made. I try to make extra whenever I cook rice so I'll have it on hand when I want it again.
@chileman (967)
• Australia
1 Jun 07
Yeah like others have said, I like to fry my rice with oil, soya sauce, frozen peas, bacon diced, onion or shallots and an egg broken over the top......even stale rice goes a treat....add a bit of garlic while you are frying for extra flavour :)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Thanks to both of you for taking the time to join the discussion. I love swapping recipes; trying out new dishes and learning new cooking tips. I never seem to have enough of those. Yes, I will be freezing the rice, if I cant' use it right away. Though, honestly, I think it'll be gone before the end of the day. And, as far as the impromptu recipe, it sounds delightful. Must try that out, too.
@34momma (13882)
• United States
1 Jun 07
wow there are so many things you can do with leftover rice. you can use it in soup or stew. you can fry it up. you can use it in burrittos. make a rice pudding which use to be one of my favorite things my grandfather use to do with leftover rice. use it in stuff peppers another great use.
• United States
2 Jun 07
Love the burritto rice idea. It's not something I would have thought of myself. And, the stuffed peppers. I can remember those from when I was a kid. I would love for you to drop by when you get a minute to post some more of your thrifty rice recipes and ideas. I know everyone would appreciate them. Have a good day. And, be well.
@gapeach65 (805)
• United States
1 Jun 07
I shared this idea in another discussion a while back, but I'll share it here too. Brown a pound of ground beef, drain it, then add a can of corn, drained, heat and serve over rice with soy sauce. It's fast, easy and quite delicious, even my picky 9 year old eats it. If you try it, I hope the family likes it.
• United States
2 Jun 07
Sounds yummy! And, I'll cook any dish that gets the kid seal of approval. Do you think it would be OK to add onions or diced cooked carrots? Drop by when you get a minute and post another recipe. My husband is practically begging me to cook this one tonight. I'll let you know how it works out.
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
1 Jun 07
We eat a lot of rice at our house. We usually cook a bunch all at once when I make cashew chicken or something, and then freeze it in smaller portions. A lot of times we leave one in the fridge, and have fried rice, or a chicken and rice casserole later in the same week. My 16 month old asks for "chiggy and wize" about half the time when we ask him what he wants to eat! lol If we make a casserole, we usually put some cream of something soup, a packet of onion soup mix, and chicken with the rice. Sometimes instead of the onion soup mix, we use cheese and salsa. It just depends on what kind of mood we are in. Sometimes we just put salsa in it and serve it as a side dish when we have tacos or fajitas or something.
• United States
2 Jun 07
That is too cute! :) Chiggy and wise. And, so amazing that you can get your toddler to eat rice. My little girl hasn't shown much interest in rice yet. Raisins, yes! Rice, no. Love the Mexican rice dish idea too. We do a lot of taco nights, because it's so affordable. So, this would be nice on the side. I love all your thrifty meals. I'll bet you have hundreds more. Drop by anytime with more cooking tips, thrifty meal ideas, or anything else you want to share, when you get a minute. I know how busy mom life can be. But, I'd love to hear some more of your ideas.
@winky73 (1404)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Make some fried rice and here is how I make mine: 1 packet of Sun Bird Fried Rice seasoning....either hot&spicy or regular and follow the directions on the back. It's that easy. But did you know that rice freezes really well?I love chicken and rice soup.....so fix the soup and when done add the frozen rice and heat....simple and fast. Enjoy!!
• United States
7 Jun 07
I'll have to try that. Sounds yummy.
@drakan291 (817)
• Ireland
31 May 07
I like adding shallots and shredded bell peppers. You can also dump in salsa and grated cheese. It is usually a crawd pleser, especally if you top it with sour cream.
• United States
31 May 07
Just add chips! That sounds like a party dip recipe! Kudos! My husband is really going to enjoy that dish during football season. Thank you.
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
1 Jun 07
That's easy with my family because they love their vegetables. If I added sme brocolli and snow peas, I would have to beat them off with my wooden spoon!
• United States
7 Jun 07
Giggle! I wish my little kid was the same.
@castleghost (1304)
• United States
31 May 07
My fiancee uses leftover rice in soups instead of noodles. Or you can use a can of cream of mushroom , some shredded cheddar cheese,rice, and some leftover cooked chicken to make a nice casserole. Bake in the oven until completely warmed through and cheese is melted. This works well with the chicken flavored rices or cream of chicken instead of mushroom. You can also take a can of cream of chicken soup, broccoli, rice and shredded cheddar cheese. Makes a nice broccoli casserole. Bake in the oven till completely warm and cheese is melted.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 May 07
That's so clever! Very inventive ideas. I must add these recipe ideas to my personal collection. Especially loved the soup rice and casserole ideas. Do you think that frozen veggies would work as well?
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
6 Jun 07
I usally add soup to mine like cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup. it gives it a better taste.
• Singapore
2 Jun 07
Have you tried fried rice? Just try in some toppings and cook it with the overnight rice. The best version of fried rice is done with overnight rice. So in fact, we sometimes cook extra just so we can leave rice overnight for fried rice the next day. If not, I would suggest you try to cook less in future. :P
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
8 Jan 08
I also think it's very wasteful to throw away the food. If the leftovers haven't gone bad yet, then you can mix some new ingredients and cook them together.
@shadjee1 (602)
• Philippines
6 Jun 07
Well, you can just use it a garlic rice, or if you want some spice on it, you can fry it with ham, scrambled eggs, mixed veggies. On the same day if you like japanese food. you can make a maki, you canuse kani/crabsticks and mangoes/cucumber. then just put it in the fridge if you want to eat it the next day.
@clocks123 (1225)
• United States
27 Jul 07
you can also put in paramesian cheese and when you are done with it put more paramesian cheese this is from my recipe above!
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
8 Jan 08
The only recipe I got for rice left over in to make fried rice out of it. Put oil in the pan, put in lots of onions fried the rice and pour in some salt. See to it that it is fully fried and thats it. If you have your coffee pour in some coffee in your rice have some dried fish or fried porkchop and thats it. Also, I suggest you decrease the no. of cups youll cook. Or after reducing your cooked rice put in the left over on top of the newly cooked rice and thats it, as if you have your new cooked rice.