Just when I was going to post an item about Weight Watchers and our culture's traditional New Year's obsession with weight loss, along comes the embodiment of a sophisticated French woman, Mireille Guiliano, with a better idea.
It's a book called French Women Don't Get Fat: the Secret of Eating for Pleasure, and its premise is simple: take pleasure from food. Healthy living and healthy eating, not guilt or deprivation: it's about getting the most out of the food you most enjoy. Following her own advice, Mireille relishes her life of indulgence as ceo of Cliquot, Inc., a life that calls for regular consumption of Veuve Clicquot and other fine beverages ... Imagine that! Eating and drinking for pleasure! What a concept!
One of her secrets: an almost purifying tonic from the humble leek. The recipe:
Clean 2 pounds of leeks and rinse well. Cut off the ends of the dark green parts, leaving the white parts and a suggestion of pale green. Put them in a large pot, cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes. Pour off the liquid and reserve.
The juice can be drunk (reheated or at room emperature) every two to three hours, one cup at a time.
For meals, have some of the leeks a half-cup at a time. Drizzle with a few drops of extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice.
