There is something about the fragrances associated with Christmas that transports me back to my childhood. The scent of nutmeg and ginger take me to my Grandmother’s house for gingerbread cookies. The fragrance of cinnamon and butter makes my mouth salivate for my mother’s homemade cinnamon rolls. The aroma of star anise makes me long for my girlfriend’s poached pears.
Just thinking about all those goodies makes me put on 15lbs. So today I have a better solution – simmering potpourri. Even if you don’t cook, you can make your house smell like you do.
Today’s recipe is for Capturing Christmas Simmering Potpourri to help you get into the holiday spirit. This recipe is just a guideline. Use whatever spices you have on hand. I would have added a vanilla bean if I had one on hand.
Capturing Christmas Simmering Potpourri
Ingredients
- 1-2 orange lemon or lime peels
- 4-5 star anise
- a small palm full of cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- a few cardamom seeds
- a few allspice berries
- a couple of slices of fresh ginger
Instructions
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Put ingredients into a small pot.
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Fill the pot 2/3 full of fresh water.
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Put on the stove and simmer.
Recipe Notes
Don’t let all of the water evaporate. Keeping filling pot with water as needed. You can store the potpourri in the refrigerator in a glass jar and use for a couple days.
My only regret is that I couldn’t put a Christmas tree in the mix. Then my Christmas olfactory experience would be complete.
Quote of the Day:
“Remember, if Christmas isn’t found in your heart, you won’t find it under a tree.” - Charlotte Carpenter
Or in a pot of simmering potpourri…
and then, she paused for thought.
Lovely for the holidays, Cathy. My aunt in England dries tangerine skins then throws them in the fire…the smell is wonderful!
Christina that is such a great idea. I was going to dry the Clementines, but thought nobody would take the time, so I kept it simple. 🙂
Ah, the aroma is heading my way…and come sunset that little pot of potpourri is gonna be simmering right on my very stove-top. What a lovely idea for generating some aroma love for the holidays! Thank you!
This is brilliant! I think it would also take care of any weird cooking smells that might linger from dinner (fish, etc.). Love it! Also love the dried tangerine peels idea. Am going to dry some since my kids eat 5 pounds of Cuties every 2 days. We shall see how that goes!
LOL! I think it would be a great way to cover up “other smells”!
Thinking of making little bags of the ingredients for Christmas presents……I know I would love it
thanks Cathy A. 🙂
Cathy B, turning these into presents is a great idea. They would also be pretty in canning jars with a ribbon on it.
Hey Cathy what a great idea to make ones potpourri ! Would be fun to try it :))
Hope you try it April. Merry Christmas.