Ultimate Vegetable Stirfry

Everyone has that one product that they always over-buy. A friend admits to regularly having 6 or more bottles of unopened ketchup in her pantry. My cousin seemingly collects canola oil. And fearful that I've depleted my stash of Basmati rice, I always throw another bag into my shopping cart, only to have it join the 7 or more bags waiting for me at home. I never mind though, as I consider rice to be the most versatile of starchy sides, and even leftovers can be put to great use. This vaguely Oriental fried rice dish can be easily served to vegans or vegetarians as a meal, can be made meaty with the addition of cooked chicken cubes, keeps well for up to 5 days, and is both the ideal side-dish or take-to-work savior. Put your leftover rice to delicious use - or see notes on how to prepare Basmati rice with ease. - and serve up this super tasty number today.

2 tablespoons canola oil 3 spring onions, sliced 1 teaspoon crushed garlic 2 teaspoons grated ginger 1/2 teaspoon dried chili flakes 1 cup sliced sliced green beans OR broccoli florets 1 red pepper, sliced Canned baby corn (optional) 1 zucchini, cut in matchsticks 1/2 container white mushrooms, sliced 2 cups cooked Basmati rice* 1 teaspoon brown sugar 4 tablespoons Soya sauce 1/3 cup chopped basil Toasted cashew nuts to garnish 1: Heat the oil in a wok and stir-fry the spring onions, garlic, ginger and chili flakes. 2: Add beans, red pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, corn if using and 1 tablespoon boiling water and toss for approximately 7 minutes till cooked. 3: Add cooked rice and heat through, dissolve sugar in Soya sauce & pour over. 4: Toss with chopped herbs and serve garnished with toasted cashew nuts. *Microwave 1 cup Basmati rice with 2 cups salted boiling water covered on high for 14 minutes for perfect results every time. Quantities for dish may be doubled. COOK'S NOTES: Other vegetables - like carrot matchsticks, peas or small florets of cauliflower - will work here too. Feel free to add pan-fried tofu cubes or cooked chicken strips to make this a more substantial meal. You could also scramble an egg and toss cooked egg into the finished dish. The basil and nuts are optional but make a huge difference here and really elevate the dish. Can use brown Basmati rice if preferred though cooking this in the microwave uses more water and takes longer.