The most delicious way to use leftover rice – recipe for Rice Patties with step by step photos
Leftover rice is most common in kitchens where rice is a predominant part of the diet such as South Indian and most of South East Asian cooking. It is difficult to exactly estimate the rice that will be consumed by the family on most days, let alone guests. But that’s no problem at all. Because leftover rice can be put to use in the most delicious ways.
A whole book can be written on recipes to make with leftover rice.
Some ideas on what to do with leftover rice
- You can make delicious curd rice the next morning, or phodni bhaath– i.e tempered rice, very popular in Marathi homes.
- Add some veggies and sauces and have fried rice ready. I usually use up leftover rice to make this Indo Chinese Egg Fried Rice!
- The Italian appetiser arancini are stuffed rice balls, coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried until crisp. An oozy mozzarella centre inside these rice balls makes them quite irresistible.
So what’s the recipe with leftover rice here? Slightly mushy leftover rice is mixed with some chickpea flour, grated veggies (in this case, carrot and green papaya), spiced up with green chillies, flavoured with coriander and brought together. Pinch off two bite sized pieces and shape into croquettes.
Put these in the refrigerator for a while and then shallow fry using as little (or more) oil as you like.
Serve with a green chutney or ketchup for a lip smacking tea time snack. These leftover rice croquettes are both vegan and gluten free.
This same mixture can also be patted into a thinner pancake and cooked until golden brown on both sides – similar to a Gujarati Rice Thepla.
Rice Croquettes with leftover rice
Ingredients
Method
- To prepare the rice croquettes using leftover rice, mix all the above ingredients (except oil) in a bowl. The mixture should not be too soft, or else the patties wont retain their shape. If needed squeeze out excess water from grated veggies and then add to the mixture.
- Bind into a smooth ball.
- Divide into 8 pieces and shape each into oval / rounds. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Pour 1 tbsp oil in a non stick pan and once oil is hot, place the shaped croquettes and fry on a medium flame for 6-8 minutes per side until both sides are crisp and golden brown.
- Serve with chutney / tomato ketchup.
Notes
Originally published on March 25, 2006. Updated with new photos and text.
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That sure is a surpRICE patti..:)Nice way to use up left over rice and the use of papaya is unique to this recipe.Nice recipe.
the way u’ve named it is really cute… this will b a def try coz almost everyday we have some leftover rice and we keep wondering wat to do with it…thx for sharing
Hi Nanditha,i like ur rice patties.i will do it by deep frying but urs is oil free recipe.good for health. vineela
Thanks Sailu, i had named it surprice patties just like that and then realised that it actually contained the word rice. Became a copywriter by accidentLOLthanks Shalini n Vineela
Good one !
i love this dish as it took very less time and we all enjoyed it
thanks!
Hi Nandita,
Last weekend made it and everyone liked it .Thanks for sharing the recipe .