Reheating rice

[Perfectlypea]

I’m going to make a chilli type meal with rice, veg and kidney beans all combined but I always only make just enough because I have this panic about reheating the rice the next day. I normally batch cook but this is the one meal that I don’t for fear of poisoning myself. I’m aware I’m probably being ott here but if someone could explain to me how to do this safely, I might be brave and make enough for 2 days 😄

Thank you!

You need to cool the rice quickly, then reheat properly unti piping hot.
It is that simple😁 It's the middle temps which cause issues.
People eat reheated rice all the time, just don't realise it.
I freeze mine.

Cook rice
cool it under running water and refrigerate immediately

although I’d only do that for egg fried rice - boiling up rice is so simple and quick that I’d batch the chilli but cook rice from scratch

It is fine just portion next days off let it cool.as normal then re heat, I make chilli&rice and give my mum a portion she eats it the next day, fwiw I used to freeze rice and never poisoned anybody

Thanks @Wasssuuuuup So if I shove it all on a plate and sit it on the windowsill to initially cool and then when cool enough straight into the fridge?

So now here’s the second quandary you’ve given me? If you freeze it, do you defrost thoroughly before cooking?

Cool it within an hour of cooking and then straight into the fridge or freezer. I use a fan, but many people rinse with cold water.

Reheat however you like, until steaming hot. I either make fried rice or microwave, covered with a splash of water. I don't defrost first if using from frozen.

My mum microwaves her portion.

See that’s the issue - the rice is combined with the veg and kidney beans. I cook it all together so obviously can’t wash it.

Just plate the portion and let it cool honestly it is fine.

Plate the portion and let it cool a little and then put it in the fridge. It's leaving it at room temperature for too long that causes the issue.

Thanks you all! I knew you’d all talk some sense into me!

Rice is better the second day. Most fried rice in Chinese take aways is reheated from previous days.

Yes this. It’ll be fine. We cool and reheat rice regularly. Spread it out on a room temp plate or larger dish and it’ll cool v quickly, then pop it in the fridge. We usually have flavours and veg and stuff all mixed in with the rice so wouldn’t rinse it to cool it either.

Just for context, the worrying thing with rice is a bacteria called Bascillus cereus, it has spores which can be activated by cooking. If you get it in the fridge quickly then it doesn’t get a chance to grow and multiply. If you leave it out at room temp it can start to grow and can give you a bad stomach. Best thing is to cool is rapidly with water, and put it in the fridge and use with 24 hours

I sometimes spread ot on a tray, put it on top of tall pot and under running extractor. Gove it a mix few times and chills nicely. Or put bowl with it into sink with cold water in a summer. Again, mix occasionally.
Washing rice in cold water is fine if it's plain. We usually have spiced one so that would be sad event.