TEA-SPICED PEARS

Steamed in tea with warming ginger and Asian spices, this is almost like a Chinese tong sui, or sweet soup, and really feels as if it is doing you good.

It's a great example of how to use your steamer for things other than veggies - but if you don't have a steamer, just simmer the pears in a pan.

Unexpected bonus: it makes the kitchen smell divine.

Here's the recipe.

LIGHTEN UP, EVERYONE

"I have always loved good food, but now I want it to be good for me too. So I have learned how to lighten up on everything but freshness and flavour, without the cream, pastry and unnecessary animal fats that slow me up and weigh me down.

'Lighten Up' is not a diet book by any means, although the recipes in it helped Terry, my husband lose 35 kg/77lbs ( and looks like his younger brother!) It is just a healthy new approach to cooking, using the best of modern nutrition and simple, every day ingredients.

In other words, how to get a fast healthy meal on the table and still have a life. And come on, you have to love a book that starts with porridge and ends up with lemon yoghurt cupcakes!"

Jill

Available from September, 2007.