5 Simple Leftover Rice Recipes That Turn It Into A Mouth-Watering Whole New Dish

Are you breaking your head wondering what to do with your leftover rice? Get creative with these yummy sounding leftover rice recipes.

It’s never a good idea to waste food. Nobody would deliberately want to throw away the food that is cooked with all effort and love. But there are times when we end up cooking either more or it’s just that our stomach doesn’t want to co-operate with its much needed friend at times.

Whatever be the reason, if extra cooked or leftover rice is causing troubles for you, then don’t be disheartened. I have listed below a choice of quick and tasty leftover rice recipes which can be easily whipped up. Each one is simple and distinct in its own way. So read on to see how to get over your leftover troubles.

Cooked Rice Idli

Did you know that your leftover rice could be made into soft spongy and yummy idlis. This indeed is a wonderful idea that one could think of with cooked rice. I came across this recipe when reading a food blog and tried it. I must say it came out perfect! I do not have any photos to show though (wink wink).

Note: As we are using cooked rice here it needs more time to steam than normal idlis.

For the complete recipe, go here.

Leftover Rice Cutlets

Here is this crispy and yummy leftover rice recipe which is perfect for monsoons. One more way to use the bowlful of leftover rice staring at you is by making rice cutlets.

For making cutlets you will need: 1 full cup cooked rice, 1 medium to large potato – mashed, 1medium sized carrot- grated squeezed to remove all the water. Frozen peas- handful, slightly mashed, Green Chillies- 2, coriander leaves – fistful, Gram flour (besan) – 3tbsp, Red chilly powder – 1/4th tsp, Cumin Powder – 1/4th tsp, Coriander powder -1/4th tsp, Garam Masala -1/4th tsp, 3tbsp oil to shallow fry.

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For the complete recipe, go here.

Rice Fritters or Pakoras

Yet another snack recipe for your what-to-do moment with the leftover rice! Pakoras are our all time favourite snack. There are varieties of it and each person tries to patent it in their own way.

Here is a nice rice pakoda recipe I found.

You can enjoy the hot pakoras with mint chutney or tomato ketchup.

Tawa pulao

Tawa pulao as the name suggests is cooked on a tawa by the roadside vendors but when made at home it can also be cooked in a frying pan or a kadhai (wok). This is yet again an easy and delicious leftover rice recipe to consider. It’s also a great way to add in more nutrition since it includes a whole bunch of vegetables added in to the dish.

You can find the complete recipe here.

Tawa pulao can be served with raita of any kind as per your preference.

Rice kheer

This is a very popular Indian dessert. You can use either leftover rice or cook the rice along with the milk to make this creamy smooth kheer or pudding.

Mix 250 gms(1cup) of rice, 2.5 cups of milk and 3 tbsp of sugar (alter to your taste) in a heavy bottomed saucepan or non stick pan and cook on a low to medium flame. keep on stirring.

After 5 minutes, add 1/4th tsp of cardamom and cinnamon powder.

Lower the flame and let the pudding cook for 15-20 minutes or till it starts to thicken.

When the rice kheer becomes slightly thick, add 1 and ½ tsp of sliced almonds, cashewnuts and raisins and dish it out

You can serve the rice kheer either hot or cold.

So the next time you are stuck with too much rice, stop thinking and try one these easy leftover rice recipes!

Image source: By stu spivack [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons, for representational purposes only.

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