Throughout the years, I’ve adopted a few kitchen tips and tricks that have made my life a lot easier. I learned some of these hacks from cookbooks and websites, some were discovered through happy accidents, but many were passed onto me by others. I thought I’d start a series where I’d pay it forward, and share these hacks with you.
This first tip comes from my mom: freeze leftover rice. Freezing leftover rice a great way to prevent food waste, and it also happens to be a lifesaver when you’re in a pinch. I reach for frozen rice when:
- I’m sick.
- I just got back home from a long flight.
- I had a busy day and I’m hangry.
- An unexpected guest arrives and I didn’t make enough food.
- I’m craving fried rice.
- I brought home leftovers and need something to accompany it in order to make it a full meal.
- I’m feeling lazy.
Sometimes I actually cook more rice than I need just to make sure I’m covered for the above situations 😆.
To freeze leftover rice, wrap individually portioned rice in plastic wrap and freeze. I usually put the wrapped rice in another vessel, like these reusable silicone food bags, to help keep my freezer organized. To reheat, remove the plastic wrap, place in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave for about 2-2 1/2 minutes.
If you have trouble removing the plastic wrap from the frozen rice, microwave the whole thing for 15-20 seconds. This will help loosen the plastic wrap from the rice.
PS: You can also freeze composed rice dishes like this mushroom rice in a rice cooker.
Do you have any kitchen tips or hacks that are lifesavers for you? I’d love to hear about them!
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