Fried rice is a versatile and delicious dish that's perfect for using up leftover ingredients. Here's a simple, quick, and economical recipe that is both healthy and satisfying.

**Simple Fried Rice Recipe**

**Ingredients:**
- 2 cups cooked rice (preferably leftover; cold rice works best)
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, bell peppers, corn, etc., fresh or frozen)
- 2 large eggs (optional for added protein)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (reduced sodium if preferred)
- 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable, canola, or sesame oil)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1-2 tablespoons of green onions or scallions, chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Protein of choice: chicken, shrimp, tofu, or ham (optional, about 1 cup cooked and chopped)
  
**Instructions:**

1. **Preparation:**
   - If you don't have leftover rice, cook 1 cup of rice in 2 cups of water. Let it cool completely.
   - If you're using fresh vegetables, make sure they're diced into small, uniform pieces. If you're using frozen vegetables, thaw them first.

2. **Scramble the Eggs:**
   - Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. 
   - Add the eggs and scramble until they're just set. Remove them from the pan and set aside.

3. **Cook the Vegetables:**
   - Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan and sauté the onions and garlic until they become fragrant (about 1-2 minutes).
   - Add the mixed vegetables and cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. **Add Protein:**
   - If using protein like chicken, shrimp, tofu, or ham, add it to the pan now and stir fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, until heated through.

5. **Add Rice and Combine:**
   - Add the cold rice to the pan, breaking up any clumps. Stir everything together and let the rice cook for a couple of minutes to get a bit crispy.

6. **Season:**
   - Add the soy sauce, stirring to coat the rice and vegetables evenly. If you like a bit of heat, you can add a splash of hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. **Final Touches:**
   - Stir the scrambled eggs back into the mixture. 
   - If using, sprinkle with chopped green onions or scallions.
   
8. **Serve:**
   - Serve your fried rice hot, straight from the pan.

**Tips:**
- Using day-old, cold rice prevents the dish from becoming mushy.
- Customize your fried rice by adding other ingredients you have on hand like mushrooms, bean sprouts, or pineapple.
- For added nutrition, consider using brown rice or adding additional greens like spinach or kale.

This recipe is quick (taking about 20 minutes), cost-effective, and can easily be scaled up or down depending on the number of servings you need. Enjoy!