rice

11 Ways to Turn Leftover Sweet Potatoes and Other Starchy Foods Into Something Special

Marla Walters — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 08:30:15 +0000

You may be feeling less than inspired about those leftover tortillas, mashed potatoes, or that garlic bread. I am also guilty of overbuying "pick of the season" corn. Those sweet potatoes, which seemed like good idea at the time, need to be used up. Here are 11 fun ways to use up leftover starchy foods. Your refrigerator will thank you for making the space, too.

1. Sweet potato haupia pie

This sweet potato pie recipe uses Okinawan sweet potatoes, which are naturally sweet, so you can cut back a little on the sugar if you'd like. The Okinawan potatoes also make the bars a pretty purple color, so it's a showy, yet homey, dessert. When you chill the bars, the haupia "sets" into a firm layer so these pie slices can be easily cut.

2. Mashed potato cinnamon rolls

Adding mashed potatoes to rolled dough results in super soft, tender rolls with more body. While that's one great use, imagine what happens when you add leftover mashed potatoes to cinnamon rolls. They are completely irresistible.

3. Brown rice salad

Always on the lookout for work lunch ideas, this brown rice salad with avocado made me stop in my tracks. It's worth your time to cook extra rice just so you can make this. I like to drizzle the tiniest bit of sesame oil into it. As the recipe mentions, you can add in a leftover protein, too.

4. White rice balls

These arancini (rice balls) with marinara are totally delicious, and you probably won't be able to eat just one. They are very easy to make, which is probably a bad thing, because they are so good. Toss a side salad, and dinner will be ready.

5. Salted caramel bread pudding

Salted caramel anything is pretty good ... but have you tried it with leftover bread, to make bread pudding? This recipe utilizes brioche, but as that wasn't available to me, I used French bread cubes and it was still mouthwatering.

6. Garlic bread croutons

Ever buy that garlic bread that's all ready to pop into the oven? If you have leftover pieces, just wrap them up. The next day, cut into small chunks and toast over low heat in a skillet. Toss into a salad for extra-flavorful croutons.

7. Mexican lasagna with tortillas

We all love comfort food, and here it is, in the form of a Mexican lasagna. It matters not if your tortillas are slightly stale — they will work just fine. Substituting ground turkey or chicken is a great option, too.

8. Migas with tortilla chips

Tortilla chips are so cheap and delicious, until they go stale. Ugh. So what do we do with them now? Try making Migas, which are scrambled eggs with tortilla chips, onion, tomatoes, cheese, and other delicious goodies. I like to build mine like a power bowl, adding avocado and some plain Greek yogurt on the side.

9. Mexican street corn salad

A decision of overbuying fresh corn sent me to the internet. While I love Mexican street corn, I find it's a little messy to eat it straight off the cob. That problem is resolved with this Mexican street corn salad. This is great with barbecued chicken or grilled shrimp.

10. Lentil salad

Any recipe that suggests combining bacon, shallots, goat cheese, and Dijon is bound to be delightful, am I right? This warm bacon-Dijon lentil salad is absolutely great and I think it works well in any season. My husband is not a huge goat cheese fan, so I substitute a little feta.

11. Black bean dip

This black bean dip has great flavor and goes together quickly. I like cilantro on top, but not everyone is a cilantro fan, feel free to skip it altogether. It's also vegan.

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This article is from Marla Walters of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

12 Delicious Ways to Eat Cauliflower Rice

Marla Walters — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 09:00:07 +0000

Why, you ask, did I spend the week experimenting with turning cauliflower into fake rice? There are some compelling reasons. First off, cauliflower contains antioxidants, which can protect you against cancer. There's also fiber, which will help with weight loss and digestion. It contains vitamins C, K, and B6. It has a high ANDI score (Aggregate Nutrient Density Index), meaning that it provides a high amount of nutrients for not many calories. A cup of cauliflower contains about 25 calories. A cup of brown rice contains about 218 calories. If you are following a Paleo or Raw diet, or simply watching your carbohydrate intake, it's a pretty good substitute. (See also: 10 Delicious and Frugal Power Bowls You Want Right Now)

To keep it frugal, watch for heads of cauliflower to go on sale. If you find that you really love this "rice" substitution, buy a couple of heads, process, and store in your freezer. Some big-box stores have non-organic brands for less.

It's a little messy to make, so what worked for me was to process the entire head at one time and divide it up into plastic bags. I used my mini-chopper and worked in batches. Here is how to get that rice consistency. You can also do this in a blender, or even by hand.

1. Mexican-Style

My husband loved this Mexican Cauliflower Rice. I put it into a power bowl with kalua pork, avocado chunks, pinto beans, greens, chopped cilantro, and some sharp, grated cheddar. I added the chiles gradually, tasting as I went, so as not to overdo the heat.

2. Cauli Sushi

Man, do I ever love sushi, but I have to watch it. I tend to like the not-so-good for you kind, full of white rice, cream cheese, tempura shrimp, and mayonnaise. Cauliflower rice to the rescue! This is a vegetarian recipe; and I added ahi to mine. It's also good with crab and a vegan mayo. Fans of the Raw diet: Here is a "raw" version.

3. Fried Cauli Rice

We eat a lot of fried rice around here, because it's a good way to use up leftovers. I start by putting a tablespoon of oil into a frying pan, and adding the leftover vegetables and/or meat to heat. Then, add your cauliflower rice, stir everything, and add a beaten egg; fry and stir until egg is cooked through. Serve with shoyu (soy sauce).

4. Stuffed Cauli Rice

Simply substitute cauliflower rice for white rice in your favorite stuffed peppers recipe (here is mine, which also uses ground turkey).

5. Mom's "Rice" Salad

I love this old recipe of my mom's. Switching up the white rice for cauliflower gave it new life.

Ingredients

2 cups prepared cauliflower rice, cooled
2 2 1/2 T low-fat mayonnaise
2 t lemon juice
4 radishes, thinly sliced
½ cup fresh peas or frozen peas, thawed
½ cup drained, chopped, jarred artichoke hearts
½ T capers
1 T minced shallots or onion
1 t curry powder
Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

Combine all ingredients and chill until serving time. Very nice with grilled salmon.

6. Pesto Cauli

This is so simple, and so delicious. To two cups of warm cauliflower rice, I added three tablespoons of pesto. Stir. Add a little freshly grated parmesan on top. To make it a meal, scoop into broiled portabella mushroom caps.

7. Cauli Fritters

Warning: These are insanely addictive.

Ingredients

2 cups raw cauliflower rice
2 eggs
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 T shallot, finely diced
½ cup panko crumbs
½ cup fresh parsley, washed and finely chopped
1 t salt
½ t pepper
¼ cup olive oil, for frying

Method

Combine all ingredients. Scoop into a little ball shape, and then flatten to a three-inch diameter.

Heat oil. Fry about four minutes per side, turn and fry other side until golden brown.

8. Cilantro Lime Cauli Rice

I was hoping some creative soul would do a copycat Chipotle Lime Rice using cauliflower. Ta-daah! Inspiration to build our own healthy burrito bowls!

9. Curried Cauli

With the addition of chicken, this curried cauliflower rice becomes a great meal, or a tasty basis for a power bowl. This reheats nicely for an office lunch, too.

10. Egg on Top

To a cup of cooked cauliflower rice, add one over-easy egg and a quarter of an avocado, sliced. I like a little Sriracha drizzled on top. So easy, and so healthy.

11. Paella

To a batch of cauliflower rice (two cups), add a cup each of cooked shrimp and sausage, a cup of cooked okra, a half cup of sauteed celery, and a can of the spicy chopped tomatoes, with juice. Don't forget the Tabasco. This certainly isn't a classic Paella, but you'll get the flavors, and it's low-carb.

12. Cauli Risotto

I had some leftover Thanksgiving turkey in the freezer, as well as some fresh mushrooms. Here is how I made some risotto-like cauliflower:

Ingredients

1 cup cooked turkey, chopped
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 cup cauliflower rice
1 shallot, finely chopped
½ tsp garlic, finely chopped
2 T butter
1 T olive oil
½-¾ cup chicken broth, heated
½ cup freshly grated Asiago cheese

Method

Heat butter and oil; add the garlic and shallot. Once browned, add the mushrooms; saute until softened. Add the cauliflower and toss until it is lightly browned. Add broth, a little at a time. (The mixture will be slightly soupy, truthfully more gruel-like than risotto-like.) Add turkey until heated through. Sprinkle cheese over and serve immediately in bowls.

What other recipes can you swap rice for cauliflower rice? Share with us!

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This article is from Marla Walters of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

25 New Ways to Spice Up Rice

Ashley Marcin — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 11:36:35 +0000

Pop quiz: What's a naturally shelf-stable, impressively inexpensive ingredient that most of us have in bulk on our pantry shelves? The answer? Rice! Whether white, brown, purple, wild, basmati, jasmine, or you name it, rice is a filling side dish when served plain with many of our favorite meals. Spiced up, you might find yourself using rice for many more recipes than you ever imagined — even whole dinners. (See also: Best Rice Cookers)

1. Fried Rice

Do you often order fried rice out because you think you can't replicate it at home? Think again. This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to make perfect Vegetable Fried Rice every time — and it's easier than you might imagine.

2. Rice Pilaf

This Mexican Rice Pilaf is as gorgeous as it is flavorful. With a number of spices and seasonings, including cumin, chilies, and cilantro, it would make a fast weeknight meal or even serve as a suitable side, according to the author, at your holiday dinner table.

3. Coconut Lime Rice

Looking for the epitome of simple, but satisfying? Use full fat coconut milk for the richest flavor in this Coconut Lime Rice. It goes wonderfully with Thai entrees, but could even serve as the base of a meal with some steamed or fried veggies to top things off.

4. Rice Stew

With just five ingredients, this Sausage and Rice Stew is both cheap and easy to make. Oh, and did I mention it comes together in less than 30 minutes? Time is money, people! (See also: 25 Easy 5-Ingredient Recipes)

5. Yellow Rice

This bright Turmeric Rice With Peas is a vibrant addition to any meal. You may even have all the ingredients already in your pantry. Add dried Italian spices for some extra kick and use frozen peas to make everything budget friendly. (See also: 20+ Ways to Use Frozen Mixed Veggies)

6. Green Rice

If you're looking to sneak in some veggies, this classic Arroz Verde has a twist. Whereas similar dishes rely heavily on cilantro for color, this one packs a hefty punch of spinach as well, making it an easy way to get in more greens for the day.

7. Rice Soup

There are lots of tasty spices in this Chicken Rice Soup — cinnamon, paprika, chili powder, coriander, cayenne, and more. Plus, sweet potatoes and spinach give the whole meal some special superfood powders, making it a particularly healthy bowl as well.

8. Sweet Rice

Want to make something unique for that upcoming potluck? Try this Coconut Mango Rice Pudding. It's spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla and punctuated with chunks of healthy mango for natural sweetness. (See also: Weird and Wonderful Ways to Use Rice)

9. Tomato Rice

Need to use up some produce before it goes bad? Add whatever veggies you have in your fridge to this basic Tomato Rice dish, and you've got a full meal. You can easily adjust the spice level of this recipe by seeding the jalapeno pepper (or not, if you're a heat-lover like me).

10. Vegetarian Rice Bowl

For this Vegetarian Mixed Rice Bowl, all you need is a single cup of rice per person. From there, the veggies and vegetarian proteins take over, making it an easily customizable meal that comes together in a flash. The author offers up a number of garnish options to salivate over, too.

11. Pesto Rice

Served hot or cold, this Pesto Rice Salad can stand on its own as a starter or as accompaniment to the main course. If you're pressed for time, skip the pesto recipe and purchase some at your local grocery store. (See also: 21 Uses for Jarred Pesto)

12. On-the-Grill Rice

Cooking out? This tangy Grilled Rice dish is made in a disposable foil pan. Inexpensive chopped onion, peppers, and mushrooms lend some veggie flair — and vegetarians can substitute in vegetable broth for the chicken broth.

13. Crockpot Risotto

I adore a good risotto, but I hate taking the time to make it myself. Enter the slow cooker. This creamy Asparagus Risotto comes together in just 15 minutes and takes only three hours to cook after that. (See also: Best Slow Cookers)

14. Curried Rice

How about some Baked Lemon-Curry Rice topped with toasted pine nuts? I can't wait to try this one myself. Though this recipe is written specifically for individuals on the South Beach Diet, I'm confident you can substitute your favorite rice with fabulous results.

15. Rice Salad

The magenta and green from the pomegranates and pistachios in this Wild Rice Salad are sure to entertain your taste buds. I love how the author uses lemon juice, honey, and fresh ginger to naturally sweeten and dress this sumptuous salad, but includes a jolt of black pepper for good measure.

16. Homemade Rice-a-Roni

Maybe you have a thing for the San Francisco treat, but would rather leave the packaging behind and make it at home. I've got the recipe for you! This Broccoli Au Gratin Rice-a-Roni has so few (but wholesome!) ingredients, you'll wonder why you ever bought boxed in the first place.

17. Fruity Rice

This next recipe bridges the gap from the savory to the sweet. Wild Rice With Dried Fruit and Pecans sounds more complicated than it actually is. You could even substitute brown or white rice with the same mix of spices, fruits, and nuts for a similar dish.

18. Leftover Rice Soup

Have you ever made too much rice one night and not known what to do with it the next? This Black Bean and Leftover Rice Soup recipe has you covered. Not only is this bowl filling, but it's also purposefully budget conscious. (See also: 35 Rice and Beans Recipes)

19. Rice Cooker Jambalaya

Maybe you're a pro at this rice thing, enough that you have a rice cooker at home. This Rice Cooker Jambalaya has all the goodness of more tricky counterparts, all without the fuss it takes to cook this Cajun staple.

20. Asian Rice

Brown rice takes center stage in this Asian-Style Rice Salad. This recipe is great if you're looking to add both color and texture to your meal. And feel free to substitute other proteins in for the chicken. I think shredded beef or even cubed, fried tofu would make a solid replacement.

21. Custom Rice

The author claims this Versatile Rice "recipe" takes only 10 minutes to assemble and costs just 10 dollars. The customization is all in the seasonings, where you can use "olive oil for an Italian Rice Dish, grapeseed for Chinese Rice Dish, a little bacon grease for French or Cajun."

22. Rice Pudding

You can fix and forget this Rice Pudding recipe in your slow cooker. After just two hours, you'll have a delicious dessert the whole family can enjoy. (See also: 23 Microwaveable Desserts)

23. Sushi Rice

Making sushi at home can be tough, so why not try this California Roll Sushi Bowl? It contains all the fun flavors and textures that are inside your favorite rolls, just deconstructed for more instant gratification.

24. Brown Rice Burgers

Rice can be used in a number of different ways, including as a hearty base for vegan Chickpea Brown Rice Burgers. After cooking, mixing together with some spices, and a little pureeing, these filling burgers are ready to cook on your stove-top.

25. Caprese Rice

I absolutely love caprese salad, so this Rice Salad Caprese dish looks incredible to me. The best part? The ingredients are fresh and super simple. All you need is rice, some vine-ripened tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, garlic, onion, and a few other basics like olive oil and black pepper.

Yum, rice! What's your favorite way to enjoy rice?

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This article is from Ashley Marcin of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

35 Delicious Rice and Bean Dishes

Ashley Watson — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 00:01:59 +0000

Whether you're a vegan or meat eater, beans and rice make a hearty meal, any way you choose to prepare them. If you buy your beans in bulk, and soak them, they are even cheaper than canned. The same goes for rice; however, even buying the instant rice and canned beans makes for an affordable meal. Choose brown rice for a more nutritious meal. From Cuba to Italy, here are 35 rice and bean recipes that add flare to this classic combination. (See also: Cheap and Healthy Black Bean Recipes)

1. Mexican Tomato Rice & Beans

This classic recipe for Mexican tomato rice and beans combines ingredients that you already have in your pantry at home. Not only is it quick and easy, but you can also leave out the jalapeno if you don't like dishes that are spicy. This makes a perfect meal for a cold day!

2. West African Beans and Rice

Although this West African beans and rice recipe is very simple, it is packed with flavor. If you can find the West African cayenne, you can make it extra spicy.

3. Indian Dal

One of the most popular Indian dishes is dal, which you can eat with rice or naan. This curried chickpea dal recipe calls for traditional ingredients. You should be able to find the spices in the International aisle at the grocery store. (See also: Delicious Ways to Enjoy Garam Masala)

4. Smoky Pinto Bean and Brown Rice Soup

This pinto bean and rice soup recipe is great for the vegan and gluten-free crowd. Top the soup with sour cream and chopped scallions, or try pairing it with jalapeno cornbread to kick it up a notch! (See also: Frugal Items for Your Vegan Grocery List)

5. Caribbean Pigeon Peas

While you may love Caribbean food for the flavor, the best part about Caribbean cooking is that the ingredients are often cheap and easy to find. This recipe for rice with pigeon peas has some of the most basic ingredients, and the addition of coconut milk gives it a creamy texture and adds flavor.

6. Cajun Red Beans and Rice

Cajun red beans and rice is a classic way to prepare beans and rice, and the andouille sausage makes this dish. Have a potluck to attend? This is an excellent and affordable dish to bring. (See also: Cheap and Easy Potluck Dishes)

7. Black-Eyed Peas and Rice: Hoppin' John

Traditionally this dish is served on New Year's Day for good luck. Also known as Hoppin' John, this recipe is made with black-eyed peas simmered with ham or bacon (use turkey bacon for a healthier choice), and then it's served with collard greens.

8. Sticky Rice Balls With Beans

This sticky rice dish from East Asia consists of hand-held rice balls that are dipped into a variety of sauces. This is a fun dish for kids, and you can make it less spicy for sensitive taste buds.

9. Black Bean Tacos With Mango Salsa and Rice

You can leave out the fish from this fish tacos recipe, or serve the rice and beans in addition to the fish tacos. Try mixing the mango salsa with black beans and rice to create a cold salad, which is also a quick and easy dish for potlucks.

10. Vegetarian Paella

While there are several versions of vegetarian paella, the whole cloves of garlic and saffron really make this dish. Saffron can be extremely strong If you're looking for a taste of Spain, this recipe is the way to go!

11. Saffron Rice With Peas and Garbanzo Beans

If you already have the saffron from the paella dish above, this saffron rice combined with peas and beans adds some variety and bold flavors to the weekly menu. This can make a meal, or it can be a side dish for grilled veggie and meat kabobs.

12. Beans and Rice Biryani

If you are looking for a savory vegetarian dish with lots of spice, this beans and rice biryani recipe is for you. While this recipe is slightly more complicated than some of the others, it is well worth it. Make sure you have plenty of time before trying this one.

13. Cast Iron Refried Pinto Beans and Rice

Anything cooked in an iron skillet is going to be tasty, in my opinion, and this classic refried pinto beans and rice dish is so simple even a rookie cook can handle it. The secret to caramelizing onions is to use low heat and lots of oil. Serve with corn tortillas and cheddar cheese, or use black beans if you don't like pinto beans.

14.Middle Eastern Fava Beans

Another dish that calls for saffron, this Middle Eastern dish uses fava beans, which may be difficult to find, unless you find a specialty foods market. Some co-ops and health food stores will have them in produce during certain times of the year. But if you can find fresh or canned fava beans, this recipe for fava beans with potatoes and saffron rice is a sophisticated addition to your nightly menu.

15. Tuscan Bean and Rice Soup

If you are looking for a low-calorie and hearty dish, this Tuscan bean and rice soup from Tuscany is the perfect choice. Try serving it with a dry Riesling and crusty bread, or top it with freshly grated Parmesan for a real taste of Italy. (See also: Flavorful Foods Worth Splurging On)

16. Mung Bean Crepes

You can get all the nutritional benefits of beans and rice in a mung bean crepe. This is also a gluten-free dish if you want a savory crepe without the gluten.

17. Backpacking Rice and Beans

Most of this recipe comes from a package or can, but we had to include a recipe for backpacking trips. The canned salmon adds an interesting twist to this classic combo. This is perfect for picnics and travel food as well. (See also: 50 Ways to Use Canned Salmon)

18. Black Bean Turkey Chili

This black bean turkey chili recipe doesn't call for rice, but you could easily add brown rice for a heartier stew. You can even use the turkey from Thanksgiving leftovers instead of ground turkey.

19. Spanish Rice and Peas With Steamed Mussels

Another recipe from Spain, this rice and bean paella includes steamed mussels, shrimp and artichokes. You may not be able to find squid, but it's fine without it, and the mussels make a great presentation for guests.

20. Kosher Rice and Bean Fritters

While steamed mussels are definitely not Kosher, these rice and bean fritters are from Joy of Kosher. They were originally intended as burgers, but the cook who adapted this recipe from Martha Stewart thinks of them more like fritters.

21. Kid-Friendly Rice and Bean Burritos

If you are a parent with picky eaters, try these rice and bean burritos. The recipe lists a few alternatives that are healthier than the original version. Bonus: they are ready in 30 minutes!

22. Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowl

You don't need the tortilla to make this cauliflower rice burrito bowl. It's a great choice if you are on a budget or don't have a lot of time. The rice is actually made from grated cauliflower, so it takes less time to cook than regular rice.

23. Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed With Rice and Beans

This is a perfect fall recipe if you are looking for something to do with all those winter vegetables available now. This one also makes a lovely presentation for a small dinner party.

24. Golden Split Pea Soup With Smoked Ham

While it's not vegetarian, what sets this split pea soup apart is the smoked ham and homemade crispy onions. You can always take out the ham and add liquid smoke for the same flavor. Serve it over brown basmati rice.

25. Vietnamese Black-Eyed Pea and Sweet Rice Pudding

Similar to the sticky rice balls, this black-eyed pea and sweet rice pudding provides plenty of opportunity to get creative with it. Note the additional ingredients at the bottom of the recipe: tapioca, lotus seeds, taro root, crunchy seaweed, or cinnamon and vanilla.

26. Lentil Stuffed Peppers

Even though this lentils mexicanos and pea-stuffed peppers recipe calls for tortilla chips, you could easily replace the chips with rice. You can do the same for the pea-stuffed pepper recipe below that. Make it vegetarian and replace the beef with brown rice. (See also: Mouth Watering Lentil Recipes)

27. Jamaican Lentil Stew With Coconut

Looking for another lentil recipe? This lentil stew combines the spice of Jamaican food with creamy coconut to ease the burn. You could eat it with or without rice.

28. Bolivian Spicy Lentil Stew (Aji De Lentejas)

As another lentil option, this Bolivian spicy lentil stew provides plenty of spice if you are into spicy food. The longer it sits, the spicier it will be, and it's also vegan.

29. Deconstructed Fish Tacos With Black Beans and Rice

If you've never made a "deconstructed" meal, this is a good one to try. The preparation for this unique fish taco with beans and rice recipe is a little more complicated, but it is well worth it when it's time to serve it up.

30. Green Beans With Brown Rice and Garlic

This recipe for green beans with brown rice and garlic is perhaps the simplest recipe on the list. It's a great choice if you are looking to simplify your meals, and if you are a garlic lover.

31. German Rice With Bratwurst

While this German rice recipe doesn't call for beans, you could add black-eyed peas or northern white beans to give it more texture and flavor.

32. Rice and Bean Collard Wrap

You could take any of these rice and bean recipes and stuff them into a collard wrap for a healthier choice! The Hoppin' John recipe would be a good one since it is typically service with collard greens.

33. Calypso Rice and Beans

This is Calypso rice and beans dish another easy meal to prepare. The pineapple and jalapeno give it a sweet and spicy flavor.

34. Okra Rice

As someone originally from the South, I am a sucker for anything with okra. You can add fried okra for another variation of this okra rice recipe.

35. Ethiopian Beef and Peanut Stew

This Ethiopian Beef and Peanut Stew recipe is probably the spiciest recipe on this list. It puts a spin on this classic Ethiopian dish, especially with the scallion brown rice. All of the ingredients are easy to find and may already be in your pantry.

What's your favorite recipe for beans and rice?

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This article is from Ashley Watson of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Weird and Wonderful Ways to Use Rice

Marla Walters — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:01:04 +0000

Rice is a staple in our pantry, and we live in a community that uses a lot of it. In fact, natural disasters (tsunamis, hurricanes, or flooding) often bring on frantic “runs on rice." Because our town’s demographic is so dependent on the grain (often eaten at breakfast, lunch, and dinner), when there are impending disasters, people hurry to grocery stores to buy large bags of rice, toilet paper, and water.

When you have a lot of rice, and need to use it up before it goes bad, you start looking at alternative uses for it. Here are some you may not have heard of. (See also: Waste Not, Want Not: Stop Throwing Away Your Food!)

Separate Salt

When we moved to a very humid climate years ago, we encountered a problem with salt. It stuck together, and salting our food quickly became a battle of man vs. shaker. After trying out a few supposedly high-tech, moisture-proof model salt shaker models, we went the cheap route and added some rice to our shaker. It works like a charm.

Soothe Muscles

Zap a homemade, re-useable cloth rice bag in the microwave for about 60 seconds, and then wrap it around your neck, shoulders, or lower back. They are easy to make. Rice bags feel great, and the rice allows you to squish the bag into the most comfortable position. I prefer my rice bag to a heating pad. Plus, they smell good when the rice is heated. Here is a neck-shaped version for even more comfort.

Eat Spam Musubi

What? Spam? Don’t knock this delicacy until you’ve tried it.& They are great for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack. In Hawaii they are sold in convenience stores, bake sales, farmer’s markets...you get the idea. Spam is sliced and fried in soy sauce (or “shoyu”) and a little sugar, then assembled with rice, furikake seasonings, and wrapped in seaweed (nori). Musubis hold together well, making them a great thing to eat when you are on the go. They are also usually inexpensive — under $2. To get fancier, add a little scrambled egg or chicken. There are many variations, but here is a good basic one to start with.

Dry Cell Phones

Ever drop your phone in a puddle (or worse)? Before you panic, give drying it out a shot, using (drum roll) rice. Just drop your wet cell phone in a bucket of rice.

Create Art

Rice as art? Sure. I’ll credit my mother, who taught Kindergarten, with this craft.& Start with a bag of white rice (brown won’t work). In a large Ziploc, combine 3 T. water, 2–5 drops of food coloring, seal, and mix. Then open the bag, add a cup of rice, re-close and shake the Ziploc. Drain off the excess water and spread the rice out on paper towels or newspaper to dry. (Drying is best done somewhere where you cannot stain your countertops, floor or carpet!) Use the dried rice with white glue to make a mosaic. This is especially fun if you make several colors of dyed rice. It also looks pretty, displayed in decorative bottles.

Make Music

Credit again goes to Mom (who also made guitars out of cereal boxes with rubber bands — but that’s another article). Fill a clean, empty container about halfway with rice and close SECURELY. Instant maracas! Here's a video making maracas with a brown paper bag and rice:

(video link)

Bake Pies

Rice in cherry pie? Not really, but try using it as a pie weight to keep pastry under control.

Clean Dirt

With flower vases, there is often that dirty gunk in the bottom that you can’t reach with a scrubber. Pour in a few tablespoons of uncooked rice, add some water, and swirl. Remove the rice-y dirt and prepare to be amazed at the clean vase.

DIY Pet Toy

Here, kitty, kitty. Our cats love this new cat toy, because they are sure there is something INSIDE. If only they had thumbs. You just need an old (clean) pill bottle and a little rice.

Wear Jewelry

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend — but could “rice jewelry” be a good buddy? Believe it or not, there are a fair number of internet sellers who can engrave individual grains of rice with your name (or someone else’s) and make jewelry out of it. The grain is then sealed in a tiny vial, filled with a “magnifying solution,” and strung into necklaces, earrings, etc.

Readers, if you have other uses for the grain, please share!

This article is from Marla Walters of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The ethics of hoarding

Philip Brewer — Sun, 04 May 2008 20:40:24 +0000

In the Philippines, they're threatening life sentences for traders hoarding rice. In the United States, grocers need to put limits on rice purchases just to keep their shelves stocked. Philippine traders are now afraid to fill their warehouses, for fear of being called a hoarder. Even ordinary US shoppers are worrying that buying a big bag of rice might make them a hoarder. In this climate, it's worth thinking about what hoarding actually is.

Let me start by saying what it isn't. Stocking your pantry with goods that you're going to use isn't hoarding.

Hoarding is buying goods and storing them in the hope of selling them at a higher price.

Of course, there's an aspect to that in practically every business. Ordinary business behavior is different from hoarding mainly in that most businesses add value--the baker transforms the flour into bread, the butcher cuts up a carcass into steaks and chops. Just repackaging can add value--the wholesaler buys rice by the railcar and sells it in 50 pound sacks to the grocer who then sells it to shoppers by the pound.

Ordinary businesses also have a steady flow to their buying and selling. The gas station may have thousands of gallons of gasoline in its underground tanks, but that gasoline is for sale every day, not held off the market waiting for the price to go up.

A hoarder, though, doesn't add value by transforming the product in some useful way, nor does he make his money on the markup from wholesale to retail. He just buys stuff and holds on to it, hoping to sell after the price goes up.

Merely doing that is ethically neutral--often, in fact, beneficial. A clever hoarder will buy when prices are low (which is a source of price support for suppliers who would otherwise be suffering) and then sell when prices are high (providing supplies when there would otherwise be a shortage). If he makes a profit, it's a legitimate return on the capital that was tied up during a period of low prices. Buying low and selling high is not just a way to make money, it also helps stabilize the market, protecting both suppliers and consumers.

Hoarding becomes ethically objectionable when the hoarder waits until prices are already high, and then buys goods in the hope that prices will go even higher. That's not stabilizing. That can turn tight supplies into shortages and send prices up to where basic staples are beyond the means of all but the wealthy.

Note that this sort of hoarding is also not a very good way to make money. If supply and demand are already clearing, at whatever price, there's no particular reason to suppose that prices will go even higher. In fact, over the medium term--once suppliers have a chance to grow more or make more, and once consumers have a chance to adjust their habits to use less, you can expect prices to go back down. Hoarders buying at that point may drive the price up in a speculative frenzy, but once they start selling, the price will go right back down again, meaning that most of them won't make any money. They will, though, make the price gyrate. It's those price gyrations, together with the shortages caused by taking the product off the market, that make hoarding objectionable.

From an ethical point of view, there's no reason for ordinary consumers to worry that they might be doing something bad by stocking up. In fact, the stockpiles of ordinary consumers are a positive, stabilizing force when there are supply and price shocks, because the consumer with a stockpile will naturally limit purchases when there's a shortage. It's only the consumers with bare shelves who are buying when the price has just shot up.

Hoarding is a bad word, though--something that you wouldn't want to be accused of, even if you could make a reasoned argument about the stabilizing effects of stockpiles. In the US, we're not at the point of ugly mobs forming when someone carries a couple extra bags of rice out of the grocery store, but Americans are as good at forming ugly mobs as people anywhere.

Ethics aside, as a simple, practical matter, you don't want to be trying to build your stockpile after shortages are already in the news. Once that happens, cut back on use to make your current supplies last. Switch to stockpiling stuff that's still cheap--there's always something, unless times are very bad indeed. Especially during a time of shortages and soaring prices, there's no better investment.

This article is from Philip Brewer of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: