Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old rice for better texture)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil or sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1/2 cup green peas (frozen or fresh)
• 1/2 cup sweet corn (optional)
• 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced (any color)
• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped (for garnish)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 1 tsp sesame oil (for flavor, optional)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• Salt to taste

Optional Add-ins:

• 1/4 cup chopped broccoli
• 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 scrambled egg (if non-vegan)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Ingredients:

   • Make sure your rice is cooked and cooled. Leftover rice works best for fried rice as it is less sticky.

2. Heat Oil:

   • Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable or sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

3. Cook Aromatics:

   • Add minced garlic and diced onion to the hot oil. Stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant and slightly golden.

4. Add Vegetables:

   • Toss in carrots, peas, corn, bell peppers, and any other vegetables of your choice. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.

5. Scramble Egg (Optional):

   • If you're adding an egg, push the vegetables to one side of the skillet, crack the egg on the empty side, and scramble it. Once cooked, mix it with the vegetables.

6. Add Rice:

   • Add the cooked rice to the skillet. Break up any clumps and mix well with the vegetables.

7. Season:

   • Pour soy sauce over the rice, drizzle sesame oil (if using), and season with black pepper and salt. Stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes to combine flavors.

8. Garnish:

   • Sprinkle chopped green onions over the top.

9. Serve:

   • Serve the vegetable fried rice hot, with optional accompaniments like chili sauce or extra soy sauce.

Enjoy your homemade vegetable fried rice! 😊