more veggies, please!

While I studied abroad in college, I decided to visit Eastern Spain for a couple of days. The most ubiquitous vegetarian option was tortilla española. Unfortunately, the slices I was served were always on the cold side of room temperature, a little hard because they were cooked hours beforehand, and generously sprinkled with paprika as an excuse for their mediocrity. I hadn't had tortilla española since, until Hurricane Irene passed through New York. Dave was in full emergency mode, duct taping things shut, and filling up our bathtub and every other receptacle in the house with tap water. He also insisted that we cook everything in our fridge. All I wanted to do was watch Edward Scissorhands and take a nap. But he looked so busy and earnest, I couldn't not help him. Our perishable items were eggs, butter, and potatoes (these are not really perishable; we could always save them to grow a victory garden after the zombie apocalypse). Anyway, all the grocery stores were closed, so...

30 minutes – serves 4 ½ cup peanut oil 2 tablespoons minced garlic 2 tablespoons minced ginger Salt 2 cups thinly sliced leeks, white and light green parts only, rinsed and dried 4 cups day-old cooked rice, preferably jasmine, at room temperature 4 large eggs 2 teaspoons sesame oil 4 teaspoons soy sauce 1. In a large skillet, heat ¼ cup peanut oil over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp and brown. With a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels and salt lightly. 2. Reduce heat under skillet to medium-low and add 2 tablespoons oil and leeks. Cook about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until very tender but not browned. Season lightly with salt. 3. Raise heat to medium and add rice. Cook, stirring well, until heated through. Season to taste with salt. 4. In a nonstick skillet, fry eggs in remaining oil, sunny-side-up, until edges are set but yolk is still runny. 5. Divide rice among four dishes. Top each with an egg and drizzle with ½ teaspoo...