The One Thing You Should Do Before Storing Leftover Rice

You've made a big batch of rice in the rice cooker , and it's more than you can eat in just one evening—even if you're feeding a big crew. It's tempting to put leftover rice straight into the refrigerator, but there's only one method that instantly halts bacterial growth to make it last longer: Freezing it.

According to the USDA , rice only lasts about 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, and that's because Bacillus cereus  bacteria spores, which are naturally occurring in uncooked rice, can quickly populate once rice is cooked. While cool temps in the refrigerator slow the bacterial growth, it's still only a matter of time before they multiply anyway.

That's why immediately freezing rice (after letting it cool, of course) is the best option, according to scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This makes it much safer to store for long periods and use for leftovers. Plus, it makes portioning much easier. Here's why freezing rice is the first thing you should do before putting it away:

• Safety reasons: Scientists recommend freezing rice  to halt the spread of bacteria. While freezing halts bacterial growth, it resumes when rice comes to room temperature—so it's best not to let rice thaw, but to heat it immediately.

• Better quality leftovers:Going straight from the freezer to the microwave preserves the rice's moisture.

• Easy storage: Plastic bags of frozen rice lay flat, stack easily, and are a cinch to store in all sorts of freezers, making storage and longer-term food prep easier.

How To Store Leftover Rice

1. Spread rice evenly on a sheet pan and let it cool at room temperature, or until cool to the touch, about 15 to 20 minutes.

2. Transfer the rice to a freezer-safe plastic bag or freezer-safe storage container. Label and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Tip: If storing rice in freezer-safe plastic bags, use a silicone spatula or cutting board to gently divide rice into "portions" that are easy to snap off and reheat.

How To Reheat Frozen Rice

Storing rice flat in a freezer-safe bag makes it easier to crumble into pieces and reheat evenly. To make reheating even easier, use a wooden spatula or the edge of a cutting board to make indentations, portioning rice into squares that can be crumbled and reheated for individual servings or larger dishes.

To reheat frozen rice, break off the desired amount in pieces (Rice might come apart in chunks, and that's okay) and place in a microwave-safe bowl with a lid. Microwave on high, stirring occasionally.

Read the original article on Allrecipes