February is heart month, so in an effort to provide heart-healthy helpings to my family and a recipe to yours, I turned to the American Heart Association. www.heart.org is a great resource for all things heart-related. They have great information on getting active and tips for managing stress and weight. I try to always be health-conscious in my cooking, but I discovered a few ingredients with the AHA certification (check of approval), that surprised me. I applied my substitutions, not sacrifice, philosophy to create a meal that was delicious and easy on the old ticker. After all, we should all be mindful of how our eating habits can affect our heart health.
Brown Rice Pilaf with Seared Sirloin
Ingredients
Brown ricelow-sodium chicken stock
frozen peas & carrots (or other veggies)
salt-free seasoning (like Mrs. Dash)
black pepper
pecan oil
Directions
- Cook rice according to package directions, but substitute half the water for chicken stock.
- Cook vegetables according to package directions and add to rice. Try browned onions for a depth of flavor.
- Season to your tastes, but be careful with the salt. Sea salt tends to have more flavor than table salt so less may be required, but don't believe the myth that there's less sodium!
- Drizzle with pecan oil (or olive oil in a pinch) for a rich flavor, with "good" monounsaturated fats.
- Serve with fresh fish or a lean steak, like sirloin, for a delicious guilt-free dinner.