Description
This Christmas Simmer Pot in a Jar recipe is a delightful way to fill your home with festive aromas using natural ingredients. Featuring dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, rosemary or evergreen sprigs, star anise, and cranberries, this simmer pot blend can be easily customized and gifted. Simply simmer the fragrant mixture on the stove or in a slow cooker to create a cozy, inviting atmosphere perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
Scale
Spices and Aromatics
- 2-3 dried orange slices or orange peels
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 tablespoon allspice
- 1-2 whole star anise pods
- Optional: 1 teaspoon cardamom pods or a pinch of pumpkin pie spice
Herbs and Berries
- 1-2 sprigs fresh or dried rosemary or evergreen branches (cedar, fir, juniper, or pine work great)
- 1 small handful of cranberries or goji berries for color
Instructions
- Layer Your Ingredients: Begin by placing the larger items such as dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks at the bottom of your jar. Then add the cloves, star anise pods, and cranberries for colorful bits throughout. Finally, tuck in the rosemary or evergreen branches on top for a festive and fragrant touch.
- Choose the Right Jar: Use pint-sized or similar clear glass jars with lids so the beautiful natural ingredients are fully visible, making the jar itself an attractive gift.
- Add a Label or Tag: Attach a gift tag or label with instructions for use: “Pour the contents of the jar into a large pot, stock pot, or slow cooker. Cover the ingredients with water and simmer on low heat. Monitor the water level and add fresh water as needed. Enjoy the cozy, natural aroma!”
- Finish with a Decorative Touch: Tie twine or ribbon around the jar lid and add a sprig of greenery, a mini cinnamon stick, or a dried orange slice for a charming seasonal presentation.
Notes
- Water Level: Keep enough water in the simmering pot to prevent ingredients from burning; check periodically to add fresh water as needed.
- Fresh vs. Dried Ingredients: Dried ingredients last longer, but if using fresh oranges or rosemary, use the blend within 1-2 days at room temperature or up to a week refrigerated.
- Customizations: Substitute or add lemon peels, apple slices, bay leaves, cardamom pods, pumpkin pie spice, or vanilla extract to tailor the scent to your preference.
- Cranberries: Fresh cranberries should be refrigerated and used within a week; dried cranberries increase shelf life.
- Simmering Methods: Simmer in a large pot, Dutch oven, saucepan, or slow cooker; a crock pot on low heat is ideal for hands-free simmering.
- Reusable Ingredients: After simmering, refrigerate the cooled mixture to reuse the next day by adding fresh water, but aroma fades after 2-3 uses.
- Safety Tip: Never leave a simmer pot unattended on the stovetop to avoid burning and damage as water evaporates.
- Seasonal Variations: Add apple slices and pumpkin pie spice for a fall aroma or evergreen sprigs for a wintry Christmas scent.
- Eco-Friendly Option: Use leftover fruit scraps like orange or lemon peels to reduce waste while enhancing fragrance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: N/A (used as aromatic, not consumed)
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
