Savory ideas for leftover rice?

[dtremit]

I feel kind of silly posting this question, but does anyone have good ideas for savory dishes involving leftover rice?

I have a favorite local Brazilian takeout joint that likes to serve dishes on heaping beds of rice -- like other places might serve on a bed of lettuce. So I end up with several cups of leftover rice that I don't know what to do with. It's usually got some meat juices mixed in, so desserts aren't a great option.

Fried rice is probably not my best bet, since the grains are really separate, and I seem to always screw it up anyway.

Any more creative thoughts? I'd really welcome them.

[emu48]

Creative? No. But good. Standbys at my house are fried rice --- it can be good with no more than onions and scrambled egg in it -- and rice frittata. I use the same frittata non-recipe for leftover pasta too.: leftover cooked rice/pasta, eggs, chopped tomatoes, basil, parmesan or other grated cheese. Any ingredient in any proportion that turns you on. Also jook, aka congee, though it may be off-putting to people who don't know what it is or who have never tasted it before. Jook takes more time and patience than the other alternatives. Oh ... and for people who need to gain weight fast, the famous Hawaii comfort food called loko moko. Put warm, cooked rice in a one-person-serving bowl. Toss a hamburger patty on top. Put a fried egg on top of the patty, Ladle brown gravy over the whole thing. Eat.

[dtremit]

Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful replies! I knew folks would help me past my mental block.

I am going to bookmark this and go down the list!

[jmcarthur8]

Mix the rice with a can of diced green chilies and a cup of sour cream. Layer in a casserole with sliced Monterey Jack, two layers of each. On top, add shredded cheddar. Bake at 325 for about 20 to 30 minutes or till bubbling.

[ahuva]

mix it with slivered almonds and craisins and use it as a chicken or turkey stuffing. brown some pancetta, add in some veggies (onions, peppers, musrooms, etc.), and stir in the rice.

[pasuga]

I really like leftover rice for breakfast once in a while. Heat with whole milk, about a tablespoon of butter per serving and top with grated parmesan. The meat juices would just add to the flavor.

[Chemicalkinetics]

What of rice may I ask?

For simple consumption, you can always add mayo to rice and just eat it. Chinese fried rice is always a good choice especially if the rice is long grain rice. I can think of tons. Rice soup, congee,...etc.

<Fried rice is probably not my best bet, since the grains are really separate>

If the grains are separated, then more the easier for fried rice. Just saying.

[sunshine842]

I agree -- one of the more noteworthy disasters in my kitchen was fried rice with rice that I'd just finished cooking. Pasty, gluey mess.

[HillJ]

rice cakes, added to pancake batter
quick rice pudding
as the crust of a quiche
as the crust for an individual egg bake

[chowser]

I've never seen a savory rice pudding but I'm loving the idea. I'm going to give it a try. Thanks for the idea!

[porker]

howsabout dirty rice - saute chicken livers & sausage, chop fine. Add green pepper/onion/garlic/celery to pan, sweat, deglaze with broth, add cajun seasonings & bay leaf, return liver & sausage to pan, stir, add leftover rice.

[hill food]

oh yeah, gizzards with dirty rice and beans are a favorite

[hill food]

arancini (sp?)

[boogiebaby]

You want cold, separate grains for fried rice.

I'm thinking a rice salad with chopped green onion, veggies, lemon juice/vinaigrette, etc.

[CatteNappe]

You could go for a sort of Spanish rice by putting it in with some sauteed onions and bell peppers and tomato sauce. Use chili powder or taco seasoning. Or you could go italian - similar approach but season more heavily with garlic, oregano, etc. Maybe some chopped zuchhini in the veggie saute.

[escondido123]

You can also do a really easy version using a jar of pico de gallo salsa.

[gimlis1mum]

Make stuffed peppers or acorn squash. Cut bell peppers in half, clean out the insides and prebake cut-sides-down in a glass baking dish for about 20 min at 350 F - just until the peppers are cooked through. For the squash, I bake it until tender, about 45 min. Mix the rice with some cooked ground meat and/ or sauteed veggies, maybe some cheese or an egg to bind it, herbs and seasonings to your whim (Italian, Mexican, Indian, etc). Mound the filling in the peppers or squash and bake until hot, 30-40 mins. Can be made ahead and baked the next day. Leftovers freeze well.

Or do a meat-and-rice filling for stuffed cabbage rolls (galumpkis).

[FoodPopulist]

Rice soup, savory rice pudding, and a rice frittatta are all ideas.

Fried rice works best with cold, leftover rice where the grains don't stick together.

[Tara57]

You can add cooked rice to your meatloaf mixture.

Rice patties -- Add some tuna, salmon, or cooked and mashed beans, an egg, some onion, form into patties, then brown on both sides in a skillet.

Cooked rice freezes well. It's convenient to keep some on hand to add to a quick meal.

[calmossimo]

Congee!