veggie fried rice

this is for those times when you have veggies that need to be used and they are starting to look, well not so fresh.  a simple recipe that i created one night after having a hankering for chinese food.  *fact* you must know about me: i hate going out when i don't have to and i hate spending money if i can make something myself.  so after perusing pinterest for a recipe and finding the frustration of ingredients that were not in my cabinet, i made my own fried rice, which i think is sooooo good….i even served it to my father one night and he approved.

here's what you need:

*1 skillet-i think 12in. is what i use ?? :) ??
*olive oil (i get extra virgin)
*any type of veggies-my go to are: celery, carrots, sweet onion, garlic, zucchini, broccoli, green beans, and kAlE (i tried bell peppers once, changed the taste to much)
*cooked rice: here's where those one minute cups come in handy.  i get the brown and long grain mixed rice.
*soy sause
*salt & pepper

you may be wondering where the measurements are, um since i made this up i don't have any, it's the old italian grandmother in me. but have not fear this is a no mess up recipe.

1. first start out with putting some olive oil in the pan, i have an olive oil pourer thingy and go once around the perimeter of the skillet, perhaps 1 tbls. give or take
2. using about two cloves of garlic, depending on how garlicy i feel that day and how big the cloves are, once the oil is heated mince the garlic into the pan. if you do not have a garlic press, get one. they are very inexpensive and worth having in the kitchen for fresh minced garlic.
3. do the aroma thing with the garlic, about a minute, and then throw in all the veggies you decide to use except the zucchini and kale, they won't need as much time, sprinkle the veggies with salt & pepper, i buy those shakers with the crackers attached.  now i like my veggies to have some browning on them when i sauté, but again this would be a preference to taste.
4. about half way through the cooking of the other veggies add the zucchini.  then when all veggies are to almost to your cooking desire, add in the kale (no more then 5 minutes needed) and no need to add any extra salt & pepper when you add the zucchini or kale
5. don't forget to heat the rice i usually put it in the microwave when i add the kale, but seeing as it goes right into the pan to 'fry' a little bit, you can cook it whenever. it does only take a minute ;)
6. add the rice to the veggies, then do another perimeter of the skill with olive oil & a perimeter of the skillet with soy sauce.  stir together and let sauté about 2-3 minutes longer and voila you have your meal.

**now i cook for myself, so i only use one cup of rice. with all the veggies it is a meal in itself, and depending on how hungry i am will eat it all.  if you pair it with a side of chicken or decided to add meat to it, it could feed possible 2 people**

enjoy.