Dijon Rice With Broccoli

Dijon mustard and broccoli complement each other beautifully and come together to jazz up a side of rice. Since all Dijon mustards and hot sauces are a little different, this recipe is very much “to taste.”

1 cup cooked brown rice
2 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
2 to 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
Agave nectar or sugar, to taste (optional)

1. Steam broccoli or, if it is frozen, microwave as directed.
2. Meanwhile, whisk 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard, low-sodium soy sauce and hot sauce together.
3. Taste, adding more hot sauce and Dijon mustard if needed. (Chef Lindsay Nixon says she usually adds up to 1 1/2 teaspoons of hot sauce and 3 to 4 teaspoons of Dijon.) If the Dijon is too strong for your liking, add a few drops of agave nectar or a pinch of sugar to help cut the bite.
4. Mix with cooked rice (if using leftover rice, add a splash of broth or water before reheating it).
5. Then mix in cooked broccoli, season with salt and pepper, and serve.

Yield: 2 servings.

Nutritional information per serving: 150 calories; 1.4 grams fat; 30.6 grams carbohydrates; 3.6 grams fiber; 1.7 grams sugars; 5.3 grams protein.