Dinner in Minutes: Impress guests with Dijon Scallops

Simple, elegant Dijon Scallops is a dish that’s sure to impress your family and guests.

The creamy mustard sauce is accented with the light onion taste of chives. The addition of carrots to the rice adds a sweet new dimension to the side dish.

Dijon Scallops

2 teaspoons canola oil

3/4 pound scallops

1/2 cup dry sherry

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon heavy cream

2 tablespoons chopped chives

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat oil in a medium-size nonstick skillet. Add scallops to pan and saute 1 minute per side.

Remove scallops to a dish. Add sherry to pan and simmer 30 seconds. Add mustard and cream to pan and mix well.

Return scallops to pan for 30 seconds. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle chives on top. Serve scallops over rice and carrots.

Yield: 2 servings

Nutrition per serving: 290 calories (31 percent from fat), 10 grams fat (2.3 grams saturated), 80 milligrams cholesterol, 705 milligrams sodium, 8 grams carbohydrate, 1 gram dietary fiber, 1 gram sugars, 31 grams protein.

Carrots and Rice

1/2 cup 10-minute brown rice

1 cup water

1/2 cup packaged grated carrots

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Add rice and water to a medium-size saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium, add carrots, cover with a lid and simmer 10 minutes.

Add salt and pepper to taste. Divide between 2 plates and serve scallops and sauce on top.

Yield: 2 servings

Nutrition per serving: 175 calories (9 percent from fat), 1.5 grams fat (no saturated fat), no cholesterol, 40 milligrams sodium, 39 grams carbohydrate, 2 grams dietary fiber; 2 grams sugars, 4 grams protein.