TO EAT: Go with the grain

Try these ideas for breathing new life into rice leftovers.

1 COCONUT RICE PUDDING – Heat 1 cup rice and 1 cup coconut milk in a saucepan until simmering. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring to avoid scorching. Sweeten with honey or raw sugar and vanilla or cinnamon. Top with roasted or fresh fruit.

2 KIMCHI FRIED RICE – Fry rice with sliced onions, kimchi and sliced garlic. Add greens of choice and top with a fried egg.

3 SPINACH AND RICE CAKE – Combine 2 cups leftover rice with chopped spinach, a handful of chopped mint, a diced and fried onion and the zest of a lemon. Stir in 3-4 lightly beaten eggs and season well. Bake in a well-greased oven dish for 20-25 minutes until the cake is firm.

4 RISOTTO CAKES – Stir a beaten egg through leftover risotto and form into patties. Coat in fine semolina or breadcrumbs and fry in olive oil until crisp on the outside and heated through. You can also add chopped fresh chilli, lemon zest, herbs, spinach or grated parmesan to the mixture.