11 Ways to Use Left over Rice By Dr. Kaviraj Khialani…

Introduction Of Rice

Rice, known as Oryza sativa, is a crucial staple crop, particularly in Asia. It’s grown in flooded fields and has various varieties. Rice is rich in carbohydrates and serves as a primary food source for billions of people worldwide. It has cultural, economic, and nutritional significance. However, it faces challenges like water scarcity and climate change, requiring sustainable farming practices.

Why Rice Is Important To Add In Your Daily Meal

Rice is a dietary staple providing energy and nutrients. It’s easy to digest and versatile in cooking, serving as a base for various dishes. Culturally significant, it symbolizes well-being and hospitality. Economical and gluten-free, it suits a wide range of diets. Enjoyed in moderation, rice can contribute to a balanced and nutritious meal.

5 Popular Type Of Rice Available In Market

Five popular types of rice available in the market are :

• Basmati Rice : Known for its long grains and aromatic flavor, Basmati rice is often used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. It’s prized for its fragrance and texture.
• Jasmine Rice : A fragrant rice variety commonly used in Southeast Asian dishes, particularly Thai cuisine. It has a subtle floral aroma and a slightly sticky texture when cooked.
• Arborio Rice : This Italian short-grain rice is widely used in making creamy risotto due to its high starch content, which creates a creamy texture when cooked.
• Long-Grain Rice : This type includes varieties like Carolina and American long-grain rice. It has a slender, elongated shape and remains separate and fluffy when cooked. It’s commonly used in a variety of dishes.
• Sona Masoori Rice : This medium-grain rice is popular in South India, especially in states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. It has a pleasant aroma and is often used for everyday cooking.

These are just a few examples of the diverse rice varieties available in the market, each with its unique flavor, texture, and best uses in various cuisines.

11 Ways to use Leftover Rice

1) Tawa Pulao :

Ingredients:

• Leftover cooked rice: 2-3 cups
• Mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, bell peppers, etc.): 1 to 1.5 cups, finely chopped or diced
• Onions: 1 medium-sized, finely chopped
• Tomatoes: 2 medium-sized, finely chopped
• Green chilies: 2-3, finely chopped (adjust to your spice preference)
• Cumin seeds: 1/2 teaspoon
• Mustard seeds: 1/2 teaspoon
• Garam masala: 1/2 teaspoon
• Oil: 2-3 tablespoons
• Butter: 1-2 tablespoons (for added flavor; you can adjust this based on your preference)

Steps:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin and mustard seeds.
2. Sauté onions, green chilies, and tomatoes.
3. Add vegetables and cook until tender.
4. Mix in rice, garam masala, and butter. Cook until heated through.

2) Curd Rice (Thayir Sadam) :

Ingredients:

• Leftover rice: Approximately 2 cups of cooked and cooled rice.
• Curd (yogurt): About 1 to 1.5 cups of thick yogurt.
• Mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds, a few curry leaves, and 1-2 green chilies, chopped.
• Grated ginger: Around 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of grated ginger.
• Chopped coriander: 2-3 tablespoons of chopped fresh coriander leaves.

Steps:

1. Mix curd and rice together.
2. Heat oil, add mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies.
3. Add this tempering to the rice and curd mixture.
4. Garnish with grated ginger and chopped coriander.

3) Lemon Rice :

Ingredients :

• Leftover rice: Approximately 3 cups (cooked and cooled rice)
• Lemon juice: Juice of 2 lemons (adjust to your taste)
• Turmeric: 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt: 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
• Mustard seeds: 1/2 teaspoon
• Urad dal (black gram): 1 teaspoon
• Chana dal (split chickpeas): 1 teaspoon
• Peanuts: 2 tablespoons
• Curry leaves: 10-12 leaves

Steps:

1. Mix lemon juice, turmeric, and salt with rice.
2. Heat oil, add mustard seeds, urad dal, and chana dal.
3. Add peanuts and curry leaves.
4. Combine the seasoning with the rice mixture.

4) Rice Cutlets :

Ingredients :

• Leftover rice: 2 cups (cooked and cooled)
• Boiled and mashed potatoes: 1 cup
• Finely chopped onions: 1/2 cup
• Finely chopped green chilies: 1-2 (adjust to your spice preference)
• Chopped fresh coriander: 1/4 cup
• Bread crumbs: 1/2 cup (plus more for coating)
• Spices: You can adjust the following spices to your taste :

– Salt: To taste
– Red chili powder: 1/2 teaspoon
– Garam masala: 1/2 teaspoon
– Cumin powder: 1/2 teaspoon
– Coriander powder: 1/2 teaspoon
– Amchur (dry mango powder): 1/2 teaspoon (optional)
– Chaat masala: 1/2 teaspoon (optional)

Steps :

1. Mix rice, mashed potatoes, chopped onions, green chilies, and spices.
2. Shape into cutlets, coat with bread crumbs.
3. Shallow fry until golden brown.

5) Rice Pudding (Kheer) :

• Leftover rice: 1 cup
• Milk: 4-5 cups
• Sugar: 3/4 cup
• Cardamom: 4-5 crushed cardamom pods
• Chopped nuts: 1/2 cup
• Raisins: 2-3 tablespoons

Steps :

1. Boil milk with sugar and cardamom.
2. Add rice and cook until it thickens.
3. Garnish with nuts and raisins.

6) Rice Pancakes (Dosa) :

Ingredients :

• Leftover rice: 1 cup of cooked leftover rice.
• Urad dal: 1/4 cup of urad dal.
• Fenugreek seeds: 1/4 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds
• Salt: 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and then adjust according to your preference.
• Water 1/2 to 3/4 cup of water and add more if needed while blending.

Steps :

1. Soak urad dal and fenugreek seeds, grind with rice.
2. Ferment the batter.
3. Make dosas on a hot griddle.

7) Tamarind Rice (Puliyodarai) :

Ingredients :

• Leftover rice: Approximately 3 cups
• Tamarind paste: 2-3 tablespoons
• Jaggery: 1-2 teaspoons (adjust to taste)
• Mustard seeds: 1/2 teaspoon
• Urad dal: 1/2 teaspoon
• Chana dal: 1/2 teaspoon

Steps :

1. Prepare tamarind sauce with spices and jaggery.
2. Mix with rice and temper with mustard seeds, urad dal, and chana dal.

8) Masala Rice :

Ingredients :

• Leftover rice: As per your requirement
• Onion: 1 medium
• Tomato: 1 medium
• Spices: To taste (typically includes red chili powder, turmeric, and garam masala)
• Chopped coriander: 2 tablespoons
• Lemon juice: 1-2 tablespoons

Steps :

1. Sauté onion-tomato masala with spices.
2. Mix with rice, garnish with coriander and lemon juice.

9) Spinach and Rice Kofta

Ingredients:

• Leftover rice: 1 cup
• Chopped spinach: 1/2 cup
• Gram flour (besan): 2 tablespoons
• Spices (cumin, coriander, red chili, turmeric): 1/2 teaspoon each
• Garam masala: 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt: To taste
• Oil: For frying

Steps :

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the leftover rice, chopped spinach,
   gram flour, and spices (cumin, coriander, red chili, turmeric,
   garam masala, and salt).
2. Mix well to form a dough-like consistency. If the mixture is too
   dry, you can add a bit of water.
3. Shape the mixture into small koftas or balls.
4. Heat oil in a pan and deep-fry the koftas until they turn golden
   brown.
5. Serve the spinach and rice koftas with a side of chutney or
   tomato sauce.

10) Rice Paratha :

Ingredients :

• Leftover rice: 1 cup
• Wheat flour: 1 cup
• Spices: To taste (commonly used spices include salt, red chili powder, and cumin seeds)
• Water: As needed (for making the dough)
• Chopped coriander: 2 tablespoons
• Ghee: 2-3 tablespoons

Steps:

1. Mix rice with wheat flour, spices, and water to make a dough.
2. Roll into parathas and cook with ghee.

11) Fried Rice:

Ingredients :

• Leftover rice: 3 cups
• Mixed vegetables: 1 cup
• Soy sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Spices (such as pepper, garlic, and ginger): To taste
• Spring onions: 1/2 cup (for garnish)
• Scrambled eggs (optional): 2 eggs

Steps:

1. Sauté mixed vegetables and spices.
2. Add rice, soy sauce, and scrambled eggs (if desired).
3. Garnish with chopped spring onions.

These Indian recipes creatively use leftover rice to make delicious and satisfying dishes. Enjoy experimenting with these variations in your kitchen!

Conclusion

leftover rice can be transformed into a wide array of delectable Indian dishes. From quick and flavorful tawa pulao to the comfort of curd rice, the zing of lemon rice, the versatility of rice cutlets, and the indulgence of rice pudding and dosas, there’s a recipe to suit every palate. For those seeking tangy and spicy flavors, tamarind rice and masala rice provide a satisfying punch, while rice parathas and fried rice offer a delightful twist.

These creative recipes not only minimize food wastage but also make the most of your leftover rice, turning it into mouthwatering meals. Enjoy the culinary journey of repurposing rice in new and exciting ways!