What to cook with rice — beyond a plain side

Rice sits in almost every kitchen, and most of the time it ends up as a plain side under a cutlet. In reality, it is easy to turn into all sorts of things — from a hearty main to a soup and even a dessert. You don't need rare ingredients here: what's usually on hand is plenty.

We've gathered eight simple everyday ideas. Most come together in 25-40 minutes, and a few work straight from yesterday's leftover cooked rice. Pick by your mood and by whatever is in the fridge.

1. Fried rice with vegetables

This is the fastest way to revive yesterday's rice: heat a pan with a spoon of oil, toss in finely chopped onion, carrot and bell pepper, fry for a few minutes, then add the cold rice and warm it through well. At the end pour in a little soy sauce and crack an egg straight into the pan, stirring quickly. The grains come out separate and lightly toasted at the edges, while the vegetables stay springy. The whole thing takes about 15 minutes.

2. Easy pilaf

This is a homemade version without the long rituals: fry pieces of chicken or pork with onion and grated carrot, add the rinsed rice, season with salt, and toss in a little cumin and garlic. Pour in boiling water so it sits a finger's width above the rice, cover, and simmer over low heat until tender. The rice soaks up the flavor of the meat and carrot, turning golden and fluffy. Plan for around 45 minutes, most of it quiet simmering under the lid.

3. Homemade-style risotto

It still turns out tasty without special arborio rice — the key is to stir more often. Melt a little butter in a pan, add onion and rice, pour in a ladle of warm broth, and stir, adding the liquid bit by bit. Once the rice is soft and creamy, fold in grated hard cheese and a knob of butter. The texture comes out tender and enveloping, with a gentle creaminess. It takes about 30 minutes of active stirring.

4. Rice bake

A handy option when you want to gather everything in one dish: mix cooked rice with sautéed onion, ground meat or pieces of chicken, then add an egg and a spoon of sour cream to bind it. Spread it into a baking dish, sprinkle cheese on top if you like, and send it into the oven at 180 degrees. You get a dense, filling dish with a golden crust and a soft middle. The whole thing takes about 40 minutes, baking included.

5. Rice soup

A simple, warming soup for an ordinary day: make a light broth with potato and carrot, add a handful of rice, and cook until the grains turn soft. At the end toss in fresh herbs and a knob of butter. The rice breaks down a little and makes the soup more tender and thicker than a plain vegetable one. It's ready in about 30 minutes from the first chopped vegetable.

6. Rice meatballs

These are meatballs with the rice mixed right into the mince, so the grains stick out comically on the outside. Combine the mince with raw rice, onion, egg and salt, shape into balls, and arrange them in a saucepan. Pour over a sauce of sour cream and tomato, cover, and simmer until the rice is done. The inside stays juicy, and the rice within turns soft and soaked in the sauce. Around 40 minutes, mostly simmering.

7. Rice with egg and herbs

A minimalist, quick dish for when time is really short: warm cooked rice in a pan with a drop of oil, crack in one or two eggs, and stir so they coat the grains. At the end add plenty of chopped green onion and dill. It comes out simple and homey, with a light eggy taste and the freshness of the herbs. All together, under 10 minutes.

8. Rice pudding for dessert

Yes, rice makes something sweet too: simmer rice in milk with a spoon of sugar and a pinch of vanilla, stirring, until the mixture turns thick and creamy. Serve it warm or chilled, with berries or jam on top if you fancy. The texture is tender and clingy, with the milky-sweet taste of childhood. It's ready in about 25 minutes over low heat.

Why rice is so handy

Rice keeps for a long time in the cupboard, needs no special conditions, and pairs with almost everything — from vegetables and meat to milk and berries. From a single pack you can make a side, a main, a soup and a dessert, and yesterday's cooked rice often becomes the base for a new quick dinner. It's an ingredient that rarely sits around for nothing: there's always a way to put it to use.

If you've got rice but no idea is coming together, you don't have to scroll through dozens of recipes. Just list what else is in the fridge, and abc-eat will offer what to boil or fry from it — fast, and with no sign-up at all.