Veggie Egg Rolls - total time 30 minutes

During my quest for different vegetarian recipes I found a lot of "international" foods.  Actually, it seemed most other countries have a good amount a vegetarian options within their traditional menus, yet "American" food is focused on meat.  We have our fast burgers and sandwiches, there are steakhouses, it seems we'll wrap anything in bacon, even our salads come topped with chicken or fish.  If you go to an Italian, Mexican, Indian, or Asian restaurant they all have a dedicated vegetarian section in their menus.  However to get anything vegetarian from an "American" food restaurant you have to ask for no meat.  Now don't get me wrong, I do enjoy some chicken or fish (and some times some red meat) but all in moderation.

So even thought the vegetarian challenge was over and it was the first week I could eat meat in almost seven weeks, I ended up making some veggie fried rice and veggie egg rolls (they use a lot of the same ingredients).  If you ever need to feed a lot of people... veggie fried rice is where it's at.  I thought I was going to be eating it for weeks!  But I love making it at home because I am picky about what goes in it (peas and mushrooms, eww).  

Veggie Fried Rice - total time 30 minutes

We are not big on Chinese food, but I like to throw some easy Chinese recipes into our menu every once in a while.  The rice I used in this recipe is called 'volcano rices' and was very delicious.  If you happen upon volcano rice in your grocery store, be sure to try it out!

* 1 cup rice

* 1 cup chopped broccoli

* 1 cup chopped bell pepper

* 2 eggs

* 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil

* 2 tbsp soy sauce

1. Make rice according to package instructions.  Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp oil in two separate pans.

2. In one pan, add vegetables and saute for 10 minutes.

3. In other pan, add rice and fry for 4 minutes.  Add eggs and soy sauce, continue to fry 6 more minutes.

4. Combine and serve.