Troy buys a food steamer

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...

https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2013/10/1162.jpg

...and this should give you an idea of its size...

https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2013/10/1164.jpg

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...
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u.../halibut_1.jpg

and chicken breast with a white wine and grape sauce...
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...am_chicken.jpg

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.

Troy they really are the business aren't they. Even the "don't eat this don't cook like that" crowd all agree it's by far the best way to prepare healthy food. Besides that though, food just tastes great done this way and there's about a million free websites with easy healthy recipes to draw on. The big mistake I made when first starting out using a steamer was placing the protein on top of vegetables which of course had the cooking juices of things like fish (especially oily fish) and chicken dripping on the lower level vegetables leaving fatty residue on them and a not pleasant aftertaste. Once that was sorted though, it's been a often used appliance in my kitchen.

Brilliant looking dishes in your photos BTW, and I'm sure they tasted great!. Good luck with your diet change and the road to improved health.

Sorry to hear about your diabetes Troy
How tall are you and how much do you weigh ?

You should soon lose the kilos on that caveman diet

Are you allowed to get your sugar from fruit?

I am a real fan of steaming food, especially vegetables and fish. The real fun comes when you place herbs, garlic, etc. in the middle pot and allow the steam to infuse your fish or vegetables with the flavour.

Liked your steamed fish pics on the Fish Thread troy.

Apples are a good source of sugar.

My latest steamer purchase from Ikea.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u....2-500x500.jpg

:D

If I want to do a steamed fish (with black bean sauce, my favorite) I go this route.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...mer_xlg_xl.jpg
(Not my pic)

I've looked at those electric steamers in the shops, though none look as nice as Troy's new toy. They are generally made of plastic here. Can't bring myself to take one home.

heres how i steam chicken

https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dillinger

Sorry to hear about your diabetes Troy
How tall are you and how much do you weigh ?

You should soon lose the kilos on that caveman diet

Are you allowed to get your sugar from fruit?

---

176cm / 73Kg but I lost 10Kg in a week, which is why I went to the Doc.

Just been to the Doc and the new diet has paid off. He is considering taking me off the tablets and let me control the level using diet alone.

To give you an idea of how bad it was, when I first saw him the level was 530 mg/dl (150-200 is considered diabetic)...now I am down to 88mg/dl.

Sugar is sugar, wherever it comes from, so to start with I was limited to Granny Smiths, grapes and lemons. I burnt off the high sugar level with longish (6hr) walks foraging for mushrooms. That, together with the diet seems to have worked.

Looks great - well done mate, i might see if we have them here; very nice indeed.

Another gadget which i would love to buy but am afraid it would be forgotten in a cupboard after a few meals.

When you boil veggies you remove all the vitamins & goodness. Steaming is the only way to go.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Troy

176cm / 73Kg but I lost 10Kg in a week, which is why I went to the Doc.

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Jesus Christ!!. That's the sort of weight loss normally seen in people who aren't leaving hospital in anything other than a box!!.

^ Check out the level 530mg/dl....The Doc told me I should be dead or at least in a Coma...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Headworx

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Troy

176cm / 73Kg but I lost 10Kg in a week, which is why I went to the Doc.

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Jesus Christ!!. That's the sort of weight loss normally seen in people who aren't leaving hospital in anything other than a box!!.

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Yup, that is really drastic. Troy ought to write a book or make a dvd with those results. Million-seller within weeks.:bananaman:

Seriously, glad Troy is off the endangered list. Well done. :)

I have just been to Doc and it looks like a similar regime for me, and no beer.

Five years ago I was warned that I was pre-diabetic, although thankfully at the lower end of the range.

A serious diet change which has seen my primary source of protein change from red meat to fish (would you believe) and the addition of fruit and vegetables in copious quantities has brought me out of the risk zone.

The key for me has been to find a new diet I enjoy eating. Modest quantities of beer still fit into the diet and I have no problems with red wine. The key is finding a diet you enjoy but which is also healthy. My cholesterol level has also dropped like a stone.

Troy, thanks for the message, I realize beer and wine are off the list, I had none last night, and I cant believe the clarity of thought this morning.
I thought that I was suffering from Alzheimers, all it was, I am diabetic.