7 Brilliant leftover rice recipes that are a must try

In most desi households, leftover rice is simply reheated and consumed, but you will be amazed to know that you can give this simple rice dish a much more delicious makeover! Here are some simple yet interesting recipes that can be made at home with some simple kitchen ingredients like spices and herbs. So, next time you have leftover rice waiting to be discarded, then try these sole delights and enjoy.

Chitranna, also known as Lemon rice is a classic dish from Karnataka. This simple lemon rice is made with leftover rice with fresh lemon juice, turmeric, green chilies, and roasted peanuts, finished with a mustard-curry leaf tempering. Its zesty brightness makes it ideal for picnics or temple offerings. Serve warm or at room temperature.​

Puliyodharai is a tangy South Indian staple that uses cooked rice tempered with tamarind paste, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and roasted spices for a sour-spiced rice delight. This south Indian delight hails from Tamil Nadu, it goes well with papad or yogurt. Add peanuts or sesame for extra crunch.​

Mash rice with boiled potatoes, onions, green chilies, and spices, then bread and shallow-fry into crispy cutlets. For pakoras, blend with gram flour, ginger, and cumin before frying. These snacks vanish fast with chutney.​​

To make this classic kheer, also known as Payasam, can be cooked by simmering rice in milk with sugar, cardamom, nuts, and khoya for creamy dessert kheer, akin to sakkarai pongal in Tamil cuisine. It's festive yet simple, using minimal rice for a thick texture. Chill and garnish with saffron.​​

South Indian coconut rice combines rice with grated coconut, cashews, and ghee tempering for subtle sweetness. Curd rice, milder, mixes rice with yogurt, pomegranate, and peanuts. Both soothe digestion as cooling post-meal sides.​

Karnataka's brinjal rice also known as Vangi bath, is made with rice, eggplant, tamarind, and special masala powder. Masala rice offers quicker spice-forward grains with onions and chili. Both suit solo lunches with raita.