Welcome (back) to the blog and thanks for taking the time to stop by on Meatless Monday. We at Planet Forward took the pledge to support this sustainable practice as it promotes green living by choosing to go meatless one day per week in support of personal and planetary health. A small sacrifice for a big reward.

Fried rice has long been a solid side dish to many meals. This recipe for veggie fried rice is a twist on this classic and because it is full of vegetables, it is a complete meal in itself. This delicious dish comes courtesy of Chef Eric Ripert’s PBS show Avec Eric. Chef Ripert’s is the three Michelin star owner of the famed French restaurant Le Bernardin. You might know him from his numerous appearances on the Bravo reality series Top Chef. Now, let’s head into the kitchen and get cooking.

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1/2 cup diced cucumber
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup sliced cabbage
• 1 tablespoon curry powder (optional)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 1/2 cups cooked brown rice
• Hot sauce (optional)

Directions:

1. Rinse and drain the uncooked brown rice. Place the rice in a small sauce pan with 3 cups of water and the pinch of salt. Bring the rice to a boil over high heat, lower the heat to medium and simmer for 40 minutes until most of the water has been absorbed. Place a tight fitting lid on the pan and remove from heat and let sit for another 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat a large non-stick pan with vegetable oil over high heat, add the garlic and onion to the pan and very quickly toss until fragrant. Add the cucumber, tomatoes, and cabbage. Sprinkle with curry powder (optional) and season to taste with salt, pepper. Splash with soy sauce. Cook until tender.
3. Combine sautéed vegetables with brown rice and serve hot. Add hot sauce if desired.

Chef Ripert’s veggie fried rice yields four portions if you are using it as main course or six if you are serving it as a side dish. By using brown rice you are adding fiber to this dish and thus making it even healthier. If you want to serve the veggie fried rice as a side dish it would be a great compliment to a vegetarian stir-fry or egg foo young. This is an easy, nutritious and delicious meal the whole family will enjoy.

If you want to learn more about the sustainable Meatless Monday movement, please visit www.meatlessmonday.com and take the pledge today.

Enjoy and thanks to Eric Ripert for this great recipe.