Doc has forced me to change diet owing to a "morbidly high" sugar level, which I've controlled but means type 2 diabetes. So out with the cream sauces, alcoholic beverages and, well pretty much everything I normally cook...
Am I bothered? Nope, it's an opportunity to learn anew and first off is the new gadget...a food steamer. I read several reviews and opted for the Magimix 11578. Apart from the fact I don't think the placky versions would last long in my hands, I wanted something that could cook big items.
Here's the machine...
...and this should give you an idea of its size...
I've had the thing for a couple of weeks now and have to say it is brilliant! Not only can you cook an entire meal with it (including a whole chicken), but it is especially good at cooking fish. I've cooked salmon, whole trout, whole snapper, halibut steaks some fresh and others from frozen and it worked a treat.
The Doc has allowed me a glass of wine and to cook with it. I have found that the machine is great for steaming meat and vegetables whilst making the sauces separately. I was worried about meat looking a bit bland and some people brown it off first but I found it was perfectly okay as it was...
The halibut (sorry repeat pic from fish thread). Looked as it did when I bought it fresh from the shop...
and chicken breast with a white wine and grape sauce...
Note the lack of potatoes or rice...but I have to walk 10 miles or so if I want extra carbs...
I had made the ratatouille a couple of days ago. The veg was cooked in the steamer before adding to onions and garlic and left to simmer for 30 mins or so.
The machine is French made but I couldn't find one in Germany so had to get it from Amazon. It is more expensive than the placky things but built to last.