Description
Bring the cozy aromas of nature into your home with these simple simmer pot recipes. Perfect for any season, these natural stovetop potpourris are easy to make with fruits, herbs, and spices, filling your space with an inviting, chemical-free scent. Whether you’re in the mood for warm apple cinnamon, invigorating citrus rosemary, or calming lavender, these recipes are sure to create the perfect atmosphere.
Ingredients
Scale
Basic Simmer Pot Recipe Ingredients
- Water: 2-3 cups
- Fruit: Choose from apple slices, lemon peels, orange slices, or cranberries.
- Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, lavender, or mint.
- Spices: Cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, or nutmeg.
- Extras: 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or a few drops of essential oil (optional).
Example Ingredients for Different Simmer Pots:
1. Apple Cinnamon Simmer Pot
- 1 apple, sliced
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon cloves
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
2. Citrus Rosemary Simmer Pot
- Peels from 1 lemon and 1 orange
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3. Lavender Lemonade Simmer Pot
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried lavender buds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients:
- Gather all your ingredients.
- Slice any fruits that need preparation (like apples, lemons, or oranges).
- Add Ingredients to Pot:
- Place your chosen ingredients in a medium saucepan.
- Fill the saucepan with 2-3 cups of water, enough to submerge all the ingredients.
- Simmer the Pot:
- Place the pot on the stove and bring the water to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer.
- Keep the heat low to avoid burning, and let the aroma fill your home. You can simmer the pot for 2-4 hours, depending on your preference.
- Add More Water as Needed:
- Check the pot periodically, and add more water if it gets too low to ensure the ingredients do not burn.
- Reuse:
- You can reuse the mixture for a day or two if stored in the fridge. Simply add more water and reheat to enjoy it again.
Notes
- Adjusting Ingredients: Feel free to adjust the quantities and combinations based on your preferred strength and type of scent.
- Essential Oils: Adding a few drops of essential oils can enhance the scent of your simmer pot. Oils like lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus work particularly well.
- Avoid Burning: Be sure to keep an eye on your simmer pot and add water when necessary to avoid the mixture drying out and burning.
- Slow Cooker Option: A slow cooker can be used instead of the stovetop. Set it on the low setting, add ingredients, and let it simmer all day without needing much attention.
- Gift Kits: Simmer pot kits make wonderful gifts. Simply place dried versions of the ingredients in a mason jar, and include a note with the instructions for use.
- All-Natural Home Fragrance: These simmer pots are an excellent way to fragrance your home naturally, without using synthetic sprays or candles.
- Customize Seasonally: Create seasonal blends to match holidays or the time of year. For example, a mix of orange, cloves, and cinnamon is great for winter, while lemon and mint are ideal for summer.
Using these simmer pot recipes, you can easily fill your home with natural, welcoming scents that are inviting and comforting, no matter the occasion. Enjoy experimenting with different combinations to find the ones that best suit your mood and the season!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-4 hours
- Category: Home Fragrance, DIY, Seasonal
- Cuisine: American