Throwing a meal together

If you have a cup or two of rice, you have a meal.

Replace the water with stock in the cooking method of Spekko Long Grain Parboiled Rice;

Fry some chopped onion and chicken or beef strips, bacon or lamb mince and add chopped parsley, garlic, peppers and chillies. Mix with the cooked rice, season and serve.

Make a vegetarian risotto meal by frying Spekko Long Grain Parboiled Rice in a little oil or butter. Add mushrooms and leeks, then add warmed stock by the ladleful. Stir consistently until the rice is cooked, adding more stock as needed. Serve with Parmesan shavings.

Mix leftover cooked rice with chopped vegetables, seasoning and mayonnaise. Add a can of peaches. Serve with a braai.

To make a curried rice salad – fry a handful of raisins or chopped dried fruit with a chopped onion. Add some curry, a pinch of sugar, salt and some cream. Add to cooked rice and serve. Add a sprig of curry leaves as decoration, or if you must add some chopped coriander.

Serve curried mince, chicken or lamb over rice – accompanied by chutneys and sambals. Try chopped tomatoes and onions dressed with vinegar, salt and a pinch of sugar.

Stretch your mince by layering cooked rice, cooked mince and cheese sauce. Top with a few beaten eggs (seasoned) sliced tomatoes and grated cheese and bake until crispy and heated through.

Spice up any cooked rice accompaniment with fresh chopped herbs, grated Parmesan cheese or a dash or paprika.

To make quick muffins, mix cooked rice with egg, cheese, cooked bacon bits, chopped parsley and seasoning. Bake in muffin pans until cooked. Serve in lunch boxes or as snacks.

Serve leftover rice with warm milk and a sprinkling of sugar and cinnamon for a perfect breakfast treat. Top with strawberries and cream to go all out.

For a “no sweat dessert”, mix cooked rice with cream, beaten eggs, nutmeg and sugar. Bake it, then top it up with cinnamon and sugar and caramelise in the oven. Serve with ice cream.