What's For Dinner Wednesday: [Lighter] Broccoli Cheese Rice

Hello everyone!

Life around here is slowly starting to get back to normal again-- we're moving past the robbery incident, I'm back from my conference in Florida, and we're finally cooking again.  I feel like it's been weeks since I have made anything but coffee in my kitchen!

We've had some crazy warm March weather in Chicago lately so Alex and I have been taking full advantage of it and have been putting our grill to good use.  Last night we did some simple BBQ pork chops and alongside it I served some broccoli cheese rice.  This is one of Alex's favorite sides, however he loves that Uncle Ben's kind that comes with the powdered cheese packet.  I'll admit it-- I really like it too.  It's like a grown up version of boxed mac and cheese (which I also hate to admit that I love).  Since I had most of the ingredients on hand though, I picked up some broccoli and decided to make my own healthier homemade version.  I think it turned out pretty tasty, was more filling than the boxed kind, and I certainly felt better about eating it.  I've included my recipe below. 

Enjoy!

Lightened Up Broccoli Cheese Rice

 
Ingredients:

• 3 cups of cooked brown rice *For more flavor, I sub in fat free chicken broth for water when I make it.
• 3 cups of chopped steamed broccoli
• 2 1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1/8 cup plus 1/2 cup skim milk
• 1/3 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard *I have also subbed in prepared dijon when I didn't have dry mustard on hand.
• 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
• Cayenne pepper (to taste)
• Salt and black pepper (to taste)

Whisk flour with 1/8 cup milk in a small bowl until smooth. Heat the remaining 1/2 cup milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming. Add the flour mixture and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce bubbles and thickens, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in cheddar, dry mustard, paprika, cayenne, black pepper, and salt (if using).  While still warm, combine the cheese sauce, prepared rice, and broccoli in a large bowl.  Serve immediately.  Makes about 3 large servings.

Cheese sauce recipe derived from the following at EatingWell.