At just pennies per serving, rice is not only the best bargain on the plate, it's the ideal ingredient for extending any dish – breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert. The Rice to the Rescue Sweepstakes entries demonstrated just how versatile rice is and how helpful it can be in stretching a food budget.

The winning entries are:

First Place
Angela Buchanan from Longmont, Colorado, uses leftover rice and vegetables to create a delicious, and easy, breakfast or lunch: "Don't let leftover veggies or meat go to waste -- make a "What's in the Fridge" Rice Frittata. Pour beaten eggs over a cup or two of leftover rice and top it with cheese. Add spices from the pantry to give the frittata some ethnic flavor!"

Second Place
Amber Parsons from Parkersburg, West Virginia, suggests using rice in fruit smoothies. "Process leftover rice in a blender with a small amount of liquid and then add your favorite smoothie ingredients. You can cut down on fresh ingredients and the rice will make your smoothie more filling and more nutritious."

Third Place
Nancy Vaziri from Frankfort, Illinois recommends using rice to make homemade gifts. "Fill a recycled wine bottle with the rice of your choice and tie a recipe card for your favorite rice dish to the bottleneck. You’ll save money on purchased gifts and your recipients will love it!"

Additional clever money-saving tips include:

• Homemade Veggie Burgers
  Combine leftover rice with finely chopped veggies, a can of drained and mashed black beans, and one egg. Shape into patties and cook until lightly browned in a non-stick pan. Serve on your favorite buns with your favorite toppings!

• Feed the Masses
  Extend meat dishes by adding leftover rice to hamburger.


• Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!
  Form cooked rice mixed with egg into a pizza pan to make your own tasty pizza crusts rather than buying a prepared crust.


• Delectable Dessert
  Add a cup of leftover rice to a small box of instant vanilla pudding and some fruit slices, such as peaches or strawberries, and viola...delicious Rice Pudding!