THE SCENT OF A WINTER (IN THE MIDWEST)

There is nothing to compare with the smell of winter. Nothing. I know this for a fact now, since this is my second consecutive year without one. When you live with seasons as distinct as ours in Minnesota, you see the almost daily changes that take place in a year of constant movement towards the next season.

I have been longing, lately, for the olfactory treat that one gets upon stepping out of doors from a warm house, early in the morning, as snow softly falls. It is almost the absence of smell, a cleanse of anything that lingered as you inhale the heaven-sent freshness.

A winter day in northern climes is unmatched in its delivery of sense stimulants. The lonely whistle of a distant train, the crunch of snow underfoot, a predawn rooster crowing his wakeup call. A splash of red on pure whiteness as a cardinal dips furtively at the birdfeeder, stars twinkling in a black velvet midnight sky, icicles dripping rhythmically on the porch during a January thaw. Warm wooly mittens keeping the cold at bay, fur against your chin getting damp with your breath as you soar down the path on cross country skis, a blast of wind taking your breath away. Strapping on snowshoes for a peek at the woodpile on the east edge of the pasture, pulling a sled with a laughing child over mountainous drifts.

The tastes I long for are hot chocolate by the fire, hearty oatmeal bubbling in a pot on the stove, cinnamon buns baking in the oven, a pot of stew simmering all morning, steaming up the kitchen windows.

As I age, I love being warm, not worrying about slipping on icy sidewalks, not driving in blinding snowstorms, avoiding ditches. I don’t long for dreary days, freezing rain or staggering heating bills. There is an upside to being absent for the rigors of the season.

But winter ends. And melts into spring. And with that comes a whole new array of tantalizing aspects. The Midwest delivers a veritable smorgasbord in more ways than one, every day of the year.

CHILLY MORNING OATMEAL BAKE

3 cups quick oats

1 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1/2 cup butter, melted

In a large bowl, combine oatmeal, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk and butter. Stir into oat mixture. Spoon into a greased 9 inch square baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Serve warm with milk.

COZY NIGHT WINTER STEW

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1-1/4 cup chicken broth

4 ounces diced green chilies

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon cilantro

15 ounces great northern beans, drained

2 green onions, chopped

2 ounces shredded cheese

In a large saucepan, heat oil and cook chicken breasts with onion. Stir in broth, chilies, garlic powder, cumin and cilantro. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in beans and cook for 40 minutes more. Garnish each bowl with green onion and cheese.

SNOW MOUNTAIN CINNAMON BUNS

1 packet yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1 teaspoon sugar

1 cup milk

1/2 cup butter

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 cup sugar

In a glass measuring cup, combine yeast, warm water and 1 teaspoon sugar. Let yeast proof until bubbly. In a large saucepan, heat milk and butter until warm.

In a large mixing bowl, combine yeast and milk and butter mixture. Add flour gradually, stirring with each 1/2 cup added. Dough will be sticky. Transfer dough to a flour covered board and knead for several minutes until dough is smooth and elastic. Place back in bowl. Cover and let rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out into a thin rectangle. Brush with butter and top with mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Starting at one end, tightly roll dough and place seam side down. Cut into 2 inch slices and place in a well-buttered 8 by 8 square or round pan. Brush with melted butter and cover. Set in a warm place to rise again. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Glaze with a mixture of powdered sugar and milk or leave plain.