Dining with the Duchess: Making Everyday Meals a Special Occasion

by Sarah Ferguson The Duchess of York, Weight Watchers

Overview

Straight from the kitchen of the world's most famous Weight Watchers member, Sarah, The Duchess of York, come over 125 easy-to-prepare, guilt-free, mouthwatering recipes.

Once harshly scrutinized by the unyielding glare of the media, The Duchess has come into her own as a chic, slimmed-down single mother with a new and exciting career. With her weight woes well behind her, she truly has become a role model for anyone who wishes to turn his or her life around. In fact, her triumph over adversity is just one reason why she is the perfect Weight Watchers member. Dining with The Duchess is a unique collaboration, combining the Duchess's taste and style with the culinary and dietary expertise of Weight Watchers.

Organized into full menus to make planning any meal a breeze, each recipe includes these very special features:

-Weight Watchers revolutionary POINTS® food system from the 1•2•3 Success® Weight Loss Plan

-Basic nutritional breakdown important to any dieter

-Helpful cooking hints and tips on presentation

-No complicated counting and no forbidden foods

Whether for a simple weeknight dinner or an elegant holiday feast, these menus make everyday meals a fine dining experience. Dining with The Duchess is the perfect cookbook for anyone who wants to prepare light, healthy, and delectable meals with distinction and flair.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780684852164
Publisher:	Atria Books
Publication date:	05/05/1999
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, is the author of several children’s books, including Ballerina Rosie; Tea for Ruby, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser; and the Little Red series as well as a memoir, Finding Sarah. The Duchess is a devoted spokesperson for many charitable organizations, including Changes for Children. She has two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Read an Excerpt

A Working Mother's Lunch

Sooner or later, every working mother realizes the importance of having a solid support system in place.

As a young working girl, living in Clapham and before my engagement to Prince Andrew, I subsisted on black coffee and ill-balanced meals. As a result, I became a weak, jittery wreck, completely wired. I used to feel faint in the middle of the day through lack of food.

I was always dieting, at least when I wasn't bingeing.

Thankfully, I have since learned the importance of finding time to eat three balanced meals each day. I have also learned that the road to happiness is not paved with a thin body, and no one need struggle alone when it comes to weight. Now, I turn to my old friends and new Weight Watchers friends to provide support when I need it.

Serves 4

Gorgonzola and Pear Pizza

Arugula and Watercress Salad

Fresh Tangerines

Gorgonzola and Pear Pizza

Makes 4 servings

1/2 pound prepared pizza dough

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

1 large pear, thinly sliced

1/3 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

1. Spray the grill rack with nonstick cooking spray; preheat the grill.

2. On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough into fourths; roll out each into rounds 1/8" thick. Carefully place the dough directly onto the grill rack; brush the tops with the oil. Grill until the dough bubbles on the top and begins to char on the bottom, about 2 minutes; turn over. Divide the pear and cheese over the crusts; cover the grill or tent with foil and grill until the cheese melts and crust is crisp, 3-5 minutes.

Per serving: 282 Calories, 6 g Total Fat, 2 g Saturated Fat, 8 mg Cholesterol, 423 mg Sodium, 49 g Total Carbohydrate, 4 g Dietary Fiber, 8 g Protein, 74 mg Calcium.

POINTS PER SERVING: 5

Tip

If you find whole-wheat pizza dough (which gives a crisper crust than white-flour dough), it is ideal with these toppings. Ask for it at your local pizzeria or bakery.

Arugula and Watercress Salad

Makes 4 servings

1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 garlic clove, minced

1 1/2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon champagne vinegar

1 bunch watercress, cleaned and coarsely chopped

1 small bunch arugula (about 1/4 pound), cleaned and coarsely chopped

1 carrot, shredded

1. In a small bowl, mix the mustard and garlic; whisk in the honey and vinegar.

2. In a large salad bowl, combine the watercress, arugula and carrot. Drizzle with the dressing; toss to coat.

Per serving: 46 Calories, 0 g Total Fat, 0 g Saturated Fat, 0 mg Cholesterol, 37 mg Sodium, 10 g Total Carbohydrate, 1 g Dietary Fiber, 2 g Protein, 88 mg Calcium.

POINTS PER SERVING: 1

Tip

Remove all of the thick, woody stems when cleaning fresh watercress.

Copyright © 1998 by The Duchess of York and Weight Watchers International, Inc.

Editorial Reviews

The author, the former wife of Britain's Prince Andrew and mother of two children, is an official spokesperson for Weight Watchers. When she was a royal, the Duchess's problems with weight were widely publicized. Attributing her success at weight loss to Weight Watchers (and friends), she adds personal narratives to 125 recipes that mix healthful eating and good taste with considerable panache. Arranged in menus (e.g., Cocktails at Six, A Simple Pasta Dinner, Holiday Buffet), a few suggestions are unexceptional (Genoa Canaps, slices of salami and mustard on party rye; Baby Lamb Chops broiled with garlic and salt). Many, however, yield appealing, uncomplicated fat-reduced dishes: a rolled Turkey Breast with Cremini Mushrooms and Leeks; Risotto di Pavia with asparagus, sherry, shallots and Parmesan cheese; Individual Ginger-Peach Souffle made with dried peaches and egg whites.

Convenience sometimes reigns (Celebration Birthday Cake uses a reduced-fat cake mix and canned frosting). But most recipes, sprinkled with suggestions for serving and substitutions, call for a reasonable number of fresh ingredients that can be combined in straightforward techniques. All come with nutritional analyses and points, the Weight Watchers unit of measurement. The Duchess's commentary is somewhat self-absorbed but will undoubtedly interest readers who follow the royals.

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

More dieting with Fergie.

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