The Christmas Simmer Pot

Food and Wine

 

December is here and the holidays are near and we all want our homes to smell fabulous and Christmassy. The timing could not be more perfect to make a Christmas simmer pot. I like mine to be as beautiful to look at as it is to smell, so I like to use a sliced lemon, orange, apple, fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and fresh sprigs of rosemary. I just bought beautiful cranberries at Aldi for 99 cents a bag - a great deal. Publix (and I'm sure lots of grocery stores) have live rosemary plants shaped like Christmas trees - the smell is so wonderful. You can take clippings from it or you can also buy cut rosemary.

You can also add fresh ginger, clementine, lavender, cedar, pine needles, bay leaves, star anise, nutmeg, or vanilla.

There are no rules - use what you have/love.

I love to use one of my beautiful Staub or Le Creuset enameled cast iron pots. Add several cups of water, bring to a boil, then simmer on low. Add more water as needed. You can simmer for hours - just check the water every 30 minutes. Set a timer to remember to check it. Your house will smell like holiday heaven.

My HomeGoods has been loaded with Le Creuset lately if you are looking for any additions. They have also had gorgeous copper pots, but copper doesn't work with my induction range.

A candle that is similar to this smell that has been a favorite of mine for decades! is Trapp's Orange Vanilla. The throw is incredible i.e. it scents your entire home.

Trapp's Orange Vanilla Candle

I have never been a snow globe collector, but I found one that is so chic and sophisticated - it would be great on a coffee table. Also a lovely gift for anyone who loves pink or for a teenage girl. They are on an excellent sale and shipping is free.

Pink Decorator Snow Globes

BTW, 80 degrees here today, at least my house looks and smells like Christmas....