Description
This Simmer Pot recipe creates a delightful and aromatic holiday ambiance using fresh and dried spices, citrus, and herbs. Simply simmer the combination of oranges, cranberries, rosemary, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and bay leaves on your stovetop or slow cooker to fill your home with warm, festive scents that evoke the spirit of the season.
Ingredients
Scale
Simmer Pot Ingredients
- 12 cups water (enough to fill pot half full)
- 1 orange, cut into 1/4-inch slices (or dried orange slices)
- 2 cups cranberries
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 3 pods star anise
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the Pot: Add 12 cups of water to a Dutch oven or any medium-sized pot until it is about half full. You may also use a crockpot or slow cooker if preferred.
- Add Orange Slices: Cut the orange into 1/4-inch slices and place them into the pot. Dried orange slices or peels can be used as a substitute if fresh oranges are unavailable.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the cranberries, rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise pods, and bay leaves one by one into the pot. Adjust the quantities if needed based on your pot size and personal fragrance preference.
- Simmer the Pot: Heat the mixture over medium heat until it begins to boil, then reduce the heat to low or warm to let it simmer gently. This will release the aromatic oils and fragrances from the ingredients.
- Maintain and Extend Aroma: Keep the pot simmering for 2 to 3 hours, adding more water as necessary to keep the pot from drying out. Optionally, turn off the heat and re-simmer the pot the following day to refresh the scent.
Notes
- Add water periodically to prevent the pot from drying out during simmering.
- You can adjust spices and fruit amounts to customize the aroma strength and scent profile.
- This simmer pot is non-consumable and intended purely for home fragrance.
- Using a slow cooker is a convenient alternative for longer, low-heat simmering without attention.
- Keep the simmer pot on a low, safe heat and never leave it unattended for safety considerations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 to 3 hours
- Category: Home Fragrance
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Simmer pot, holiday fragrance, home scent, stovetop potpourri, cinnamon, cranberries, orange, rosemary
