Friday, May 22, 2009

The smells of winter....

I am a "Smell" person. Most of my memories of people or things involve some sort of smell. Little things like every time I walk past a pub I am transported back to 1972 to the good ship SS Orsova where our family spent 6 weeks travelling across the ocean from Canada to Australia. The smell of coconut takes me to my teen years when we spent every waking moment at the beach completely covered in suntan oil. The smell of pipe tobacco reminds me of my grandfather... Lavender reminds me of my sweet Aunty Joan ... I could go on..

One of the things I love about winter is all the different smells. The smell of rain completely relaxes me, I absolutely love it. My family's favorite winter smell is of a huge pot of stew or soup bubbling on the stove. I decided this year to get myself a pressure cooker. I have never used one before, but I have been doing a bit of research and was really impressed that they can cook a soup or a stew in about 40 minutes. I do tend to get a little over excited when it comes to appliances but this time I have reason to be! This little sucker is probably one of the best things I have ever bought.


I got some lamb shoulder from Woolies and browned it in a little oil with some onion. I then added some fresh mint, chicken stock and honey - cooked it for 15 minutes then added some spuds, carrot, peas and corn cooked for another 20 minutes and wallah! "45 minute Honey-mint Irish Stew" (... yeah, I am better at making up recipes than I am at making up recipe names!) The lamb just melted in our mouths and it was so full of flavour and so moist and tender.

And all those stories about them being hard to use was rubbish! The new ones are a piece of cake! It was a bit pricey, even though I got it on sale, but I am sure it will pay for itself ïn no time. You can use cheaper cuts of meat as they tenderise really quickly and it will definately cut down the gas bill.

Here are some of my other favorite smells. My little collection of 'parfum'. I loooove perfume, it is my guilty pleasure. I have been wearing Ysatis by Givenchy since 1987, and my kids always tell me that is the smell that always reminds them of me... a few of my other absolute favorites are Hypnose by Lancome, Midnight Poison by Dior, Agent Provocateur's Maitresse, Happy Spirit by Chopard. A new favorite that Doug bought me for Easter is Calvin Klein's Euphoria... And I know, for shame, I have two bottles of 'Miami Glow' by JLo.... Aaaahhh, I can't help it, it is a gorgeous, beachy, summery, fruity, coconutty bottle of yumm!! ....It isn't available any more so I also have a stash of it in my drawer :)!!!!



Last but not least a picture of my new little 'ladder shelf' - isn't it cute! I put it next to the new mirror that the kids got me for mother's day. Like I need any more shelves for any more stuff :)!



Hope you are all well, will be back soon!
Hugz
Jenxoxoxoxoxox

10 comments:

Louisa Claire said...

That casserole is making my mouth water!!!!

Anonymous said...

I forgot that it was winter for you. We are just at the end of spring here. I have been wanting a stainless steel pressure cooker for quite a while. You have renewed that interest. I can just smell it!

sweet emmelie said...

That dinner sounds delish!

♥.Trish.♥ Drumboys said...

hi, I am visiting from ICLW...No. 126 to say hello and to check out your blog...
now I love a good stew the smells of winter too.
I can't wait to use my slow cooker more.
My Little Drummer Boys

Cherie Macchiusi said...

I am over pressure cookers ever since my parents in law brought me one back from Italy. Not a problem you might think, except that the other women in the family all got gold jewellery!

Jen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jen said...

Awwww Cherie!! I forgot about that!!! What a bad BFF I am!! I know it is a bone of contention but th pressure is really good, might be time to pull it out and give it a working LOL! I miss you my darling!
xxxx

Jen said...

hey girls thanks so much for all your support! I am glad I have renewed your interest in pressure cooking Tinker!!
Sweet Emmelie it was delish!! Thank you Louisa!
Nice to meet you Trish, and thanks for visiting my blog!! I am not sure what ICLW is though, any hints?

May 26, 2009 1:26 PM

Hippomanic Jen said...

Now I see why you could relate to my smelly post from Tuesday - although probably not the sort of smell you want to remember.

Food looks good. Unfortunately I have no ideas for dinner tonight. *sigh*

Autum said...

Jenny, your stew looks delicious! I have an electric pressure cooker and it's my favorite kitchen appliance. Hands down. I use it about once a week. You'll love yours and you're right, it will pay for itself in no time.