Mama saw this at the Housewares Show last month and she fell in love.

Lékué Steam Case with Tray

Why?

Without knowing what it was, or what it was used for, I liked it for its color, sleek design and how it felt in my hands. Talk about insatiable acquisitiveness!

Some people get all weird like this about cars. I’m weird like this about kitchen gadgets.

The Spanish company, Lékué, makes this “Steam Case with Tray for 3 to 4 people” that is as functional as it is beautifully designed. It’s made with medical-grade silicone, so it’s lightweight and, as you can see from the image and video, it’s easy to use. It’s dishwasher safe and also comes in some other eye-popping colors.

I steam my vegetables in the microwave, so that’s where I tested it first… but it also works in the oven (maximum temperature 425°F). You can’t use it under the broiler, on the grill or on top of the stove.

I will admit I had a little trepidation about putting it in the oven, but it performed perfectly when I steamed a piece of sea bass on the middle rack.

The downside: when you open the lid after cooking, collected water from the steam sometimes drips off where the lid is hinged. Not a big deal at all, but something to be aware of.

Right now you can get the Steam Case at the Pro Kitchen Gear Store in Greenville, Delaware and online at Amazon and Sears. And by the way, Lékué makes a whole slew of other uber-cool products, so check out their website.

Sometimes you just gotta have it… whatever it is. Glad this one worked out so well!