Seven Delicious Simmer Pot Recipes to Transform Your Living Space with Enchanting Aromas
While aroma candles and essential oil diffusers can undeniably make your house smell fantastic, there are alternative ways to fragrance your home, and you probably already have the necessary items in your pantry. Enter the simmer pot.
Most frequently made from common household spices, herbs, and fruits, simmer pots are essentially homemade stovetop potpourris. "Simmer pots are an excellent idea to explore at home," shares Alex Wilkens, Vice President of Product for The Spice House, a renowned spice blending company. "Not only do these pots infuse your house with an enchanting aroma and create a cozy atmosphere, but they also increase the moisture in the air—which is advantageous during the dry winter season."
To create your own simmer pot, follow these instructions and ingredient combinations to get started.
Alex Wilkens
What Are Simmer Pots?
Simmer pots are relatively simple and cost-effective to craft. They consist of a blend of spices, herbs, fruits, and the like that, when simmered together on the stove, disperse a fragrance throughout your living area. Simmer pots provide a quick and effortless method to create a warm and inviting environment without the fuss of lighting a candle or investing in fragrance oils.
Since you have total control over the ingredients in your simmer pot, feel free to experiment with various combinations, selecting your preferred aromas and desired strength.
How to Make a Simmer Pot
According to Wilkens, crafting a simmer pot is a straightforward and uncomplicated DIY project. "Simply add water to a large simmer pot along with your preferred seasonal fruits and spices," he suggests.
With all components in the pot, bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow the blend to simmer for several hours, allowing the fragrances from the fruits, spices, and fresh herbs to emit.
Key Ingredients for Simmer Pots
To achieve the optimum simmer pot, incorporate ingredients that mimic the season, suggests Wilkens. For a wintery mix, "We love to include cranberries, oranges, and our favorite seasonal spices," he says. "Any whole spices function well in a simmer pot. Whole cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves are simply a few of our go-to's."
Explore different combinations, as the options are endless, depending on the season. Pair fresh-cut citrus and other fruits with whole spices and sprigs of herbs like thyme, rosemary, or lavender. Utilize fresh produce, as well as leftover food. Make the most of food scraps like citrus peels, already-squeezed lemons and limes, and apple cores, along with overripe fruit and items from your garden.
Simmer Pot Recipes and Ingredient Combinations
Need some recipe inspiration? Try these combinations and identify your preferences, then create your unique blends.
- Lemon and rosemary: Keep it straightforward with sliced lemons and sprigs of rosemary for a revitalizing scent during the spring or summer seasons.
- Thyme, grapefruit, and lemon: Bright citrus fruits are partnered with earthy fresh thyme—ideal for warmer weather.
- Mint and lime: A swift, refreshing mix for summer? Emulate the flavors of a mojito with lime slices and fresh mint leaves.
- Grapefruit and lavender: Fresh sprigs of summertime lavender offer a delightful pairing with slices of fresh grapefruit.
- Apple, cinnamon, and clove: A timeless fusion for the fall, evoking memories of hot apple cider.
- Orange, cinnamon, star anise, clove, and allspice: An abundance of spices produces a pleasing, warming blend during the fall or winter seasons. Use slices of orange and whole spices for the ultimate blend.
- Pear, pine, and rosemary: Use the trimmings from your fresh Christmas tree combined with pear slices and one or two sprigs of rosemary for a winter aroma.
After learning about the multitude of aromas that simmer pots can provide, you might consider experimenting with DIY Projects Crafts from MarthaStewart. She shares numerous DIY Home Projects, including creative simmer pot recipes, to help fragrance your home naturally.
Martha Stewart's DIY Home Projects often incorporate natural elements, encouraging homeowners to recycle food scraps like citrus peels and leftover fruits, used in simmer pots. This DIY approach to home fragrancing is not only cost-effective but also aligns with sustainable living principles.
