Leftovers

Leftover Rice Ideas

5 chef ideas, 5 ways each

Cold, day-old rice is a gift: the grains are dry and separate, so they fry and crisp instead of turning mushy. Here are the 5 ideas for cooked rice from my leftovers book, each with 5 variations.

By Chef Aurélie, professional chef

1 Fried Rice

The best fried rice starts with yesterday's rice: dry grains fry instead of steaming. Hot wok, everything chopped before you start, ten minutes.

Make it your way:

Nasi goreng: Kecap manis, sambal, shrimp paste CRUSTACEAN
Kimchi fried rice: Chopped kimchi and its juice FISH
Pineapple & ham: Diced ham and pineapple, curry powder
Thai basil: Fish sauce, chilli, a handful of basil FISH
Chorizo & corn: Diced chorizo, corn, smoked paprika; no soy

Free full recipe →

2 Arancini

Leftover risotto, or any sticky leftover rice, rolled around a cube of mozzarella, crumbed and fried: crisp outside, molten inside.

Make it your way:

Ragù: A spoon of leftover bolognese in the middle
Ham & peas: Diced ham and peas mixed into the rice
Mushroom: Sautéed mushrooms and thyme in the middle
Spinach & ricotta: Wilted spinach in the rice; ricotta in the middle
Pumpkin & sage: Mashed roast pumpkin and sage in the rice

Full recipe in Book 3

3 Black Bean & Chorizo Burritos

One of my favourites: leftover rice, smoky chorizo and black beans with chipotle, rolled in a big tortilla with cheddar.

Make it your way:

Chimichanga: My way: sealed with a flour-and-water glue, deep-fried
Chicken: Leftover roast chicken instead of chorizo
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, potato, bacon EGG
Burrito bowl: No tortilla: rice, filling, lettuce, salsa, avocado
Veggie: Roast sweet potato instead of chorizo

Full recipe in Book 3

4 Rice Salad

Salade de riz, the French summer classic: cold leftover rice with tomato, corn, tuna, egg and a mustardy vinaigrette. Picnic, lunchbox or a hot-night dinner.

Make it your way:

Mexican: Black beans, corn, avocado, lime, coriander
Poke-style: Salmon, cucumber, edamame, soy-sesame SOY SESAME
Greek: Cucumber, feta, olives, oregano MILK
Curried chicken: Leftover chicken, curry mayonnaise, raisins
Herby: Lots of parsley and mint, lemon, tomato

Full recipe in Book 3

5 Baked Rice Gratin

Leftover rice, eggs, cream and cheese, with whatever's in the fridge, baked until golden and bubbling. Comfort food from almost nothing.

Make it your way:

Broccoli & cheddar: Blanched broccoli, cheddar
Chicken & mushroom: Leftover chicken, sautéed mushrooms
Arroz al horno: Spanish: chorizo, chickpeas, tomato, paprika; no cream
Tomato & mozzarella: A layer of tomato sauce, mozzarella on top
Leftover ratatouille: A layer of ratatouille under the rice

Full recipe in Book 3