Cajun Rice Pilaf

1 can (14½ ounces) fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 beef-bouillon cube, or 1 teaspoon beef-bouillon powder or crystals

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic

1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning blend

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

¼ teaspoon black pepper

¼ cup bacon bits (see note)

½ small onion (for about ½ cup diced)

1 small rib celery (for about ½ cup diced)

1 cup long-grain rice

Pour the chicken broth into the rice cooker. Crumble the bouillon cube to a powder, and add it to the broth. Add the olive oil, garlic, Cajun seasoning, Worcestershire and pepper. Add the bacon bits.

Peel and dice the onion, and add it to the cooker. Dice the celery and add it. Add the rice and stir well.

Turn on the rice cooker and cook until the machine shuts off (or shifts into the warm mode) and the rice is tender, about 20-25 minutes. Stir and fluff the rice with a fork (or the paddle utensil provided with the rice cooker) and serve.

Serves six as a side; three as an entrée.

Cook's notes: If you don't have a rice cooker, you can cook this on the stovetop: Add all of the ingredients, except the rice, to a medium saucepan and bring it to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, add the rice, cover the pot, and cook until the rice is tender, about 17 minutes. Stir and fluff the rice with a fork, and serve.

You can add up to ½ cup additional vegetables, such as diced bell peppers or cooked red beans. Four ounces of finely diced ham, kielbasa or andouille sausage can be substituted for bacon bits.

Nutrition values per side serving: 176 calories, 3.5 g fat (1 g saturated), 30 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 6 g protein, 3 mg cholesterol, 507 mg sodium.