Ready-to-Reheat Rice

It’s hard enough to get a balanced meal on the table! Convenient shortcuts like already prepped rice and grains come in handy in a busy kitchen. While we are all for saving time, microwaving grains in plastic pouches is a no from us. Instead, try this time and money-saving hack: Make a big batch of grains at the beginning of the week, portion the rice into the Anytime Trays, then freeze overnight. When you need for a quick side, pop out a portion, reheat in an Anyday Small Dish, and enjoy!
All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well.
What You’ll Need
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- 2 cups (290g) cooked rice of choice
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup mixed fresh herbs such as parsley, tarragon, and chives (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
Preparation
- If the rice is still warm, transfer to a baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Transfer to the fridge until fully cooled.
- In a large bowl, add olive oil, mixed herbs, garlic (if using), and stir to combine. Season with salt to taste.
- Divide the cooled rice into the cups of an ½ cup Anytime Tray and cover with lid.
- Transfer to the freezer and allow to freeze for at least six hours.
- To reheat frozen rice: Add as many portions of frozen rice as needed into an Anyday dish. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of cold water on top of each portion and cover with lid (knob lifted). Cook in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until the rice is fully heated through.
Serving suggestions & tips
- Have you ever included grains like rice, pasta, or barley to a soup or stew, only to find that the leftovers are stiff and mushy? These starchy grains will soak up the liquid in the soup, changing the consistency of the dish (and not always for the best!). Freezing grains separately and reheating when you’re ready to eat is a great way to keep big-batch leftovers fresh.
- Jumpstart an easy Fried Rice recipe with pre-cooked rice. Simply add a portion of frozen rice to a skillet, add veggies, protein, soy sauce and sesame oil for a quick dinner.
Recipe notes
- Try a mix of wild rice, brown rice, or other grains such as quinoa and farro.
- For a richer side dish, substitute melted butter for olive oil.
- Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.