Thursday, January 28, 2010

Cooking Under Pressure and changes around here

I’m making a few changes around here.  As you can see I’ve changed my blog layout and will try this for a while to see if I like it. 

I’m also trying Windows Live Writer to write my post.  So if this post up really weird, I’ll keep working on it.

I’m also making some changes around my house.  We have lived in this house for 4.5 years and I haven’t changed the previous owners paint in the dining room, kitchen or family room.  I have in other parts of the house though.  This is the current color in the dining room.  It’s faux painted and from a distance it is nice, but Buster never really liked it and I don’t like it with our furniture.

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You can see I have it taped with painters tape. I went to work and primed the entire room and am in the process of deciding on colors.  So hard to choose!

The other thing I wanted to show you is this:

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I received this as a gift at a bridal shower 22 years ago. It is a pressure cooker.  I have NEVER USED IT!.  It really intimidates me and I’m not sure how to use it.  One of my grandmothers used one quite often and I remember the noise and the spitting and sputtering that came from the kitchen, but that is about all.  She isn’t here to ask anymore.  Soooo, do you use a pressure cooker ever and if you do what do you make.  I want to give it a try assuming the seal is still good and it works.

When I get some new paint on the wall I’ll show you my new colors.  I’m also resurfacing our fireplace so I’m off to the stone yard today.

I like change, but decisions are really  hard.

29 comments:

Tricia said...

My mom used a pressure cooker, but I have never used one. I look forward to hear how it works for you. I look forward to see the changes you make to your house.

Unknown said...

My grandmother used to use her pressure cooker all the time. When I was a kid, she and my mom bought a huge mess of chicken gizzards somewhere near Zephyrhills - maybe they killed some old hens at Zephyr Egg, I don't know - and they decided to cook the gizzards in the pressure cooker and well, it exploded. My mom had a short memory and several years later she decided to cook blueberries in the very same pressure cooker and it exploded again - our kitchen ceiling was blue for some time after that. I had a really great RussellHobbs electric pressure cooker that I used quite often to make beans and the like, but since I moved, I gave it away to my Vietnamese friend who uses it for rice. Pressure cookers are all right in their place, but what isn't?

Diana Ferguson said...

I, too, got one of those for a wedding gift. I think I finally got rid of it because I never used it. That might have been a mistake.

Let me know how your experiences go!

Mocha with Linda said...

My mom had one that she used, but it always scared me, so I never got one. I do know you have to let the pressure out through the knob on top before you take the lid off so you don't end up with food exploding all over your kitchen (or a bad burn for yourself!)

Susan said...

I have one and have used it for years. In fact I think I'm on my second one. I use it for beans, swiss steak, vegetable soup. Do you have the original cook-book with it. It is very quick and easy and makes very tasty dishes.

Susan said...

P.S. I do not use it as much as I use to because of the slow cookers that are now available.

Tracy P. said...

Joy, I really like your wide layout. I keep thinking I'll try that so people won't have to scroll so much, but then I think I'll be tempted to make my photos too big just because I can. I should just find a happy medium. You know, not get rid of too much of the purple. :-)

Can't wait to see your projects. We might not hear from you for awhile again. Good for you.

No pressure cooker here--but it's supposed to be so good for tenderizing meat, and sometimes when my roast comes out too chewy I start daydreaming about using one. And my family wonders why I miss entire topics of conversation.

Deb said...

My mom and Grandmother both used a pressure cooker...even my hubby....but I've never used it...can't wait to see the changes...

Betty W said...

I use my pressure cooker quite often. It´s great to make soups with. It makes your soup bone meat so soft (that´s probably not the right word, but you know what I mean). Anyway, you really should try it.
And I LOVE your new blog layout. How did you do it? I´ve wanted to super wide layout for so long and don´t know how to change it.

Julie said...

I have never used a pressure cooker but have always wanted to... do let us know what you think of it!!!! ANd I cannot wait to see your renovations. I love painting... it is such an easy way to transform a room!

Julie said...

oh and I played around on windows live writer because of all my pictures and it rocks at importing, but I could not put text where I wanted to around my pictures and I could not hit the enter key to make paragraphs, it was SO ANNOYING. Everything was only long paragraph...yuck. Let me know any tips you discover!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Joy, My mother used a pressure-cooker ALOT. Like you, I have never used one. SO--I can't help you a bit. I know that it steams veggies quickly and that they are good.... It cooks things much faster...

Hope you get the info you are looking for.
Hugs,
Betsy

Tara said...

Never used one either! My mom used to use one, but hasn't in several years. Those things scare me!
Hugs,
Tara

Brenda said...

I am getting ready to change my blog as well, I'm considering changing to typepad because I"ve had a lot of trouble with blogger lately. Its fun to switch things out.

I used to use a pressure cooker several time a week. I would use it for tough cuts of meat and for beans. But then it blew up on me and I decided to just use the crock pot. But try it, maybe yours will work better than mine did.

Brenda said...

I received one for our wedding and, like you, was very intimidated to use it after hearing my MIL's horror story of exploding pinto beans all over the ceiling.
Once I did start using it, and didn't have any calamities, some pretty tasty meals came of it.
The biggest thing is never try and open it until the smaller pressure button has fallen. I'm sure you can find a good recipe book that explains safety too. Lately I've been cooking fresh green beans with some bacon in a couple inches of water, for about 45 min. from the time the pressure 'thingy' on top starts wobbling. Delicious!

Cicero Sings said...

Colours are SO hard to decide on!

As for a pressure cooker ... my sister uses one but I have never. It shortens cooking time for sure and if you have tough meat ... great as a tenderizer. My Aunt used one when she was in Africa for years ... because of the shorter cooking time and for meat especially. I've often debated about buying one ... a canning one would be nice, especially for canning fish.

Tammy@InStitches said...

So, have you decided on a paint color ? My Mom uses a pressure cooker akk the time but I never have.

Unknown said...

boy that pressure cook brought back memories of my mom using hers! IT was harvest gold in color! I have never attempted to use one though.

I can't wait to see your new colors. I can tell you have great taste, so it will turn out pretty -I'm sure!

Sandra said...

I helped my mom can green beans in her pressure cooker this past summer. She said the newer models are less likely to explode than the older ones. I've been looking to purchase one for myself so I can preserve my own vegetables.

Do you caulk around your tape before you paint? It makes such a neat look after you remove the tape with no paint on the trim.

clarissa said...

Joy, I don't do a lot with my pressure cooker, but I can tell you one thing it makes the best green beans and potatoes. I can have them ready to eat in less then 5 mins. I need instant gratification. By the way I'm still going to call you.

Sandra said...

Hi Joy!!! The brand name of the caulk that we use is DAP. It's acrylic latex caulk plus silicone. We got it a Wal-mart. After the caulk is applied you can use a sponge or paper towel to rub down the line to smooth it out before you paint. I've smoothed it out using my finger with a glove on and wiping the excess on a paper towel. That seems to work best for me and it looks so pretty and neat after the tape is pulled off. Good Luck!!

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

Can't help you on the pressure cooker. I remember my mom using one but that's about it.

Oh I can't wait to see the new paint and fireplace.

Love the new layout....I needed a change as well a few weeks back. Felt good.

Allison said...

pressure cooker sounds dangerous. I'm pretty sure I would cause damage with something like that...

Mrs.Oz said...

i remember my mom cooking beans in one of those. she seemed to know what she was doing though..i have never used one.
can't wait to see your new colors!

Karin said...

The modern pressure cookers have been considerably improved!I'd make really sure the seal was perfect on an older model. My mother loved her to cook potatoes in a hurry - dad could never wait for lunch on Sundays, lol! I think she saved 10 minutes off the prep time!

I was a summer-time nanny with a family when I was 15 and observed the pressure cooker lid fly off for the lady of the house! Potatoes on the ceiling! Not pretty! Never did want one of those!

Will be lovely to see your decorating choices!

C. JoyBell C. said...

Yes! I have just noticed the new blog layout, Joy-ie! :) It's nice and wide and easy breezy on the eyes! :)

I love the suede paint you have on your walls! :)

Love,
C

Nonnas News said...

My mother used pressure cookers a lot when I was growing up but I have always been scared of them. My sisiter in law was using one the other day and she told me they are a lot safer now, she had just bought hers a few months ago. I'm thinking of getting one of the newer ones since they are safer.

Erin said...

JOY!! pressure cookers are awesome! i use my thrifted one all the time. it looks much older than yours so as long as you have all the parts i can assure you that yours will work perfectly. i usually cook dried beans in my cooker. it is fast and the beans are so cheap and healthy.

good luck with the painting. picking colors is the hardest part!

Glenda said...

So funny to see your pressure cooker! I saw one in a store yesterday and thought about buying it, but I have visions of a big explosion, too! I think I'll wait and see how your cooking experience goes. :)
Visiting from Texas Blogging Gals.
I like your blog!