Holiday Simmer Pot
A note from Cristi:
In the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, my mom always had a small copper pot gently simmering on the stove with a special concoction that made the house come alive with Christmas magic.. The holiday season is all about creating warmth, comfort, and festive cheer, and what better way to set the mood than with a holiday simmer pot? This simple recipe fills your home with the heartwarming scents of fresh pine, citrus, and spice. It’s a perfect way to embrace the season.
Ingredients
2 small oranges, sliced thin
4-6 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon whole cloves
1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
4-6 sprigs of pine or rosemary (or both!)
Instructions
01. Slice the two oranges into thin rounds. You can leave the peel on. Gather the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and sprigs of pine or rosemary.
02. Add the sliced oranges, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, cranberries, and sprigs of pine or rosemary into a pot. If you have a larger pot, you can adjust the amount to fill it nicely.
03. Pour enough water into the pot to cover the ingredients. About 5-6 cups of water should be sufficient, but adjust depending on the size of your pot.
04. Bring the pot to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a simmer. Let it simmer for 1-2 hours, adding more water as needed to keep the ingredients submerged.
As the water evaporates, the lovely scent of citrus, cinnamon, and pine will fill the air. You can keep the simmer pot on low heat all day if you are home, just remember to check the water levels and top it off occasionally.
