's MOTD Sun 9/17/2006

[Guest guest]

's Daily Message SundaySeptember 17, 2006FINISHING TOUCHES

I`m just putting the finishing touches on my new cookbook, "Steam Away the Pounds," and what a fun cookbook it is! The photos are funny, and I think they`ll make you laugh. It`s a very colorful and happy book, and I know I`ve told you a little about the recipes before, but I can`t wait for you to get a steamer and try them out for yourself! I`ll be letting you know what time I`ll be on QVC on October 14 for my worldwide premiere! You know, if I had seen this item on an infomercial, I would have ordered it myself! LOL! But I got one free because I designed it. :-)

I`ve been using the steamer every night, and guess what I used it for last night – to help me make my scrumptious Chicken, Corn, Rice Soup! The weather here in LA has cooled off, and the nights are a bit chilly. I start making soups around this time of the year to keep in the fridge when I want a simple soup and salad combo for dinner. This soup is low cal, fat free, and filling!

Instead of sautéing veggies in olive oil or "I Can`t Believe It`s Not Butter," I put my veggies in the steamer until they are cooked crisp. I cut up 3 celery ribs, leaves included, 1 large onion, 3 carrots thinly sliced, and steam them for about 4-5 minutes. In a pot, I add the vegetables, two and a half quarts of low fat, low salt chicken broth, and bring it all to a boil, then reduce the heat.

When I was steaming the vegetables, I was also steaming 4 4-ounce skinless, boneless chicken breasts. It took 7 minutes to cook them, and oh, were they tender! I let them cool for a few minutes and then cut them up in cubes and put them in the broth. I also made brown rice in the steamer, (40 minutes), and added 2/3 cup cooked brown rice, plus 3/4 cup of corn kernels, fresh or frozen. I seasoned to my taste and let it simmer for 10 minutes. When the soup is done, I sprinkle it with chopped parsley.

You can make this soup your own by adding the vegetables, protein, and spices you like. Try adding string beans, zucchini, or yellow squash to the soup. Instead of chicken, make this recipe with tofu or mini turkey balls. And instead of parsley as the finishing touch, try chopped dill, basil, or thyme.

Soup`s on!

Love,