A significant food ingredient in many cuisines around the world is rice, which has the distinction of being the most consumed cereal grain of the world. It is the staple food in many regions of the world particularly of countries in East, South and Southeast Asia. 
Rice lends itself to many popular food preparations around the globe, some of them being delicious main course dishes such as fried rice, paella, risotto, etouffee, biryani, pulao, sushi, khichdi or desserts such as kheer, payasam, rice pudding, rice cakes or snacks such as bhel puri(made from puffed rice), poha (rice flakes cooked with onions, potatoes or any vegetable of choice), idli, dosa(made from fermented rice and lentil batter) to name a few. There is no limit to the ways in which rice can be included in the daily diet. If you have leftover rice, then even that can be stirred up to give a yummy meal.
Here are two simple yet appetizing ways of making use of leftover rice.
I] Paneer, spring onion and green peas rice
Ingredients:
Leftover rice – 1 cup
Paneer (small cubes) – 1/4 cup
Spring onions (finely chopped) – 1/4 cup
Green peas (boiled) – 1/4 cup
Garlic cloves (finely chopped) – 2 nos.
Ginger juliennes – 1 tsp
Green chillies (finely chopped) – 2 nos.
Lemon juice – 2 tbsp
Salt and black pepper powder to taste
Oil – 2 tbsp
Method:
1.) In a saucepan, heat the oil. To the oil add the ginger, garlic and green chillies and saute for a minute.
2.) Now add the paneer, spring onions, peas and fry for 2-3 minutes.
3.) Add salt, pepper, lemon juice and mix well. Now stir in the left- over rice and cook for 5 minutes.
4.) Pull off the stove and serve hot with tomato ketchup or any pickle of your choice.
II] Rice Kheer
Ingredients:
Leftover rice (coarsely grind in a mixer for use) – 1/2 cup
Milk – 500 ml
Sugar – 4-5 tbsp
Cardamom powder – 1/2 tsp
Kevda essence (optional) – 2-3 drops
Chopped almonds and pistachios for garnish
Method:
1.) In a saucepan bring the milk to a boil. After the milk has boiled, on low flame further cook it to reduce to half its volume.
2.) Now add sugar and cardamom powder. Mix well and see to it the sugar dissolves completely.
3.) Add the rice and stir continuously until you get a creamy consistency. Pull off the stove and add the essence. Mix well.
4.) You can have the kheer hot or chilled as per your will. Serve the kheer garnished with chopped almonds and pistachios.
Via: Indianfoodforever, Bawarchi
