Getting the Most from Ordinary Leftover Rice

How to make Rice Milk
Rice milk is actually really easy to make and has many uses. Personally, I make a batch of boiled rice, drain (do not rinse) then add milk until I just reaches the top of the rice without covering it completely; this is your base for all below recipes.

Using this base there are a number of recipes you can do. Dish out into 1 cup bowls and add cinnamon and sugar for a delicious bedtime snack. The protein in the milk and carbohydrates in the rice will keep you full at night while giving a spicy/sweet kick from the cinnamon and sugar. You can warm this up if you need help getting to sleep because the warm milk heats up your core body temperature. As your body temperature returns toward normal the body's natural reaction is to drift to sleep in order to conserve body heat. This was a survival technique from ancient days that we can exploit in modern day to avoid those addictive sleep pills.

Another idea is to use rice milk and heat over medium-high heat until at a slow boil. Mix in cocoa powder (just a couple of table spoons), 1 tsp vanilla extract and sugar (or a package of vanilla pudding mix instead of vanilla and sugar) until sweet. Let sit at a slow boil for about 5 minutes. If you like orange chocolate you can add about 2 tsp - to taste - of orange rind to the mixture. Dish out into cups and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and you have delicious rice pudding.

You can also make this into smoothies by adding fruits like strawberries, mangos, bananas, and even cherries or pineapple. Use a blender with 1 part ice to 2 parts rice milk and fruit and blend for about 30 seconds. You may need to add more milk or water to thin it out if it comes out too thick. If you are watching your carbs you can boil the rice milk for about 2 minutes and then strain out the rice (save this for another treat later); you will want to add more fruit in order to give your smoothie some "meat". If you like the foamy smoothies like Orange Julius add ½ tsp of cream of tartar before you blend and mix it at least 2 minutes to get it nice and frothy. If the smoothie isn't sweet enough you can add honey (best) or sugar or artificial sweetener to taste. It won't take much with the fruit, but usually about a tablespoon of honey gives it a nice sweet but not sticky flavor.

A common rice milk drink in Mexico is the (H)orchada (some use the H in the name, some don't). This is simply sweetened rice milk. Take your base from before and add milk until it is about 1 inch above the rice. Boil about 2 minutes then strain out the rice (save this for another treat later). Put back on to boil and mix in sugar and cinnamon to taste. Once sugar is completely dissolved cool and serve over ice. This makes a refreshing drink for a snack on those hot summer days!