Holiday Simmer Pot
By: Abigail Shaeffer
@juniper_kitchen
I thought that the hype around simmer pots was exaggerated, that is, until I made one for myself. The fragrance filled my house more thoroughly than any candle and smelled more realistic than any artificial scent.
I love how adaptable the process is based on what you have on hand already! I included a list of possible ingredients, with the ones I used marked with an asterisk. For a Christmas-themed simmer pot, the key ingredients are cinnamon and oranges, with the rest depending on your own preference.
To cut down on waste, I actually used citrus scraps and extra cranberries left over from my holiday baking. I just kept a baggie full of the scraps in the refrigerator as they accumulated, and then pulled them out once I had enough!
Just put all your ingredients in an appropriately sized pot, fill with water until everything can float freely, and heat over medium-low heat. You can continue to add water as necessary for as long as you want your simmer pot active.
Possible Ingredients:
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Orange slices or peels*
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Lemon slices or peels*
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Apple slices
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Cranberries*
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Vanilla
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Rosemary
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Pine Branches*
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Cinnamon Sticks*
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Anise
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Cardamom Pods*
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Bay Leaves*