Rice is a staple for many meals, leaving us with plenty for leftovers. But if you’re going to eat leftover rice, it’s important to make sure you’re reheating it safely to eat
Rice is a common staple that accompaniment many cuisines, but if you’re facing an abundance of leftovers, it’s crucial to ensure you’re reheating it safely.
Bacillus cereus, a bacterium found in uncooked rice, is capable of generating food poisoning spores, which can survive even after cooking. As cooked rice sits at room temperature, the likelihood increases that it could become hazardous due to bacterial growth or toxins.
The culinary gurus at Delish have shared three simple methods to guarantee your rice is safe to consume and tastes as fresh as when it was first cooked. These cooking techniques can be applied to various portion sizes of leftover rice.
Delish even bragged that you’d “never know it was a day old”. This what you’ll need to do to make sure your rice is cooked thoroughly to enjoy again.
How to reheat rice properly
Delish suggests several ways to reheat rice. If you’re warming up rice just for yourself, the most efficient method is to use the microwave, reports the Express. Delish advised: “Add your rice to a microwave safe bowl, add a tablespoon of water, cover tightly and microwave in 45 second intervals, stirring between each until the rice is fluffy and warm again.”
For reheating multiple servings of rice, Delish recommends using the hob. Simply transfer your rice to a saucepan, adding a tablespoon of water per cup of rice you’re reheating.
Cover the saucepan and reheat over a medium-low heat, stirring every 45 seconds until the rice is warm. Lastly, you can also utilise the oven.
Delish revealed: “This is the most surprising, but it’s also the best for heating rice for a crowd. Add your rice to an oven-safe baking dish, add a couple tablespoons of water, tablespoon for every cup of rice you’re reheating.
“Cover tightly and bake at 300°F (approximately 150°C) for about 15 to 20 minutes… You’d never know it was a day old.”
The Food Standards Agency has shed light on common misconceptions about rice, advising that cooled-down rice can indeed be consumed cold if it’s rapidly chilled. To ensure rice is adequately cool, the FSA suggests refrigerating it and consuming within a day.
It cautioned against the risk of food poisoning from reheated rice, noting that improper storage prior to reheating is often the culprit.
Rice should be stored in the fridge for no more than 24 hours before it’s warmed up again. They stressed the importance of thoroughly heating the rice until it’s steaming hot throughout.
The FSA also emphasises the rule of not reheating rice more than once.
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