simple fall simmer pot

by | Nov 4, 2021 | Fall, Holiday, Recipes | 10 comments

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This week, the temps started to drop and we only recently had our first frost here in Minnesota.  It’s actually come pretty late this year and we haven’t even seen a flake of snow, yet!  But, I am ready for fires, slippers, hot chocolate, and for the house to smell like fall.  So, yesterday, I made up a simple fall simmer pot with what I had on hand.

I started by filling a 4 qt. dutch oven (THIS is the one I’m using) with water and then dropped anything in the simmer pot with a yummy, homey, fall scent.  Sliced apples, cinnamon sticks (these were out of a Christmas decor bin from last year), fresh rosemary, and a few drops of clove essential oil.  I thought I had some whole clove and all-spice, but I only had ground, so I just used what I had.  It really is hard to go wrong with a simmer pot.

simple fall simmer pot | miss mustard seed

simple fall simmer pot | miss mustard seed

I put the fall simmer pot on low heat and let it fill the house with a delicious fragrance for a few hours.  It lingers even after you turn the heat off.  Just check it every hour or so and add more water to your simmer pot.

It will cook up like a rich, fragrant tea.

fall simmer pot recipe | miss mustard seed

This fall simmer pot reminds me so much of spiced apples and now I need to buy a jar!  We always had a jar of spiced apple rings instead of cranberries at Thanksgiving.  I’m sure I could make them from scratch, but there is something nostalgic about the ones in a jar.

fall simmer pot recipe | miss mustard seed

It could be a fun gift idea to give someone a dutch over and fill it with some fresh ingredients and a recipe card for making this simple fall simmer pot.

Of course, this fall simmer pot will work for winter, too.  And, of course, you can swap any ingredients and use what you have or what you love.  Some other great additions would be fragrant pines, oranges, cranberries, whole cloves, whole all-spice, star anise, and maybe even a vanilla bean.

Simple Fall & Winter Simmer Pot

A simmer pot of fall fragrances
5 from 2 votes

Equipment

  • dutch oven

Ingredients
  

  • 2 sliced apples
  • 3 large cinnamon sticks
  • 2 drops clove essential oil
  • 1 bunch of fresh rosemary sprigs

Instructions
 

  • Fill the dutch oven with water
  • Add all ingredients in any order
  • Turn simmer pot on low for several hours. Check regularly and add more water as needed.

You can find other holiday recipes, decorating, and crafts HERE.

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    10 Comments

    1. Heidi

      Would this work using a slow cooker the electric type. I would get carried away with something and forget to check regularly on the water level? Brilliant idea. I will try the slow cooker and let you know!

      • Marian Parsons

        Oh yes, you can do simmer pots in a crock pot. There are even mini crockpots that are made for that and making dips! I just don’t pull mine out very often.

      • Ann C

        I get carried away, so sure I’ll remember but then I don’t so now I set the timer on my phone to remind me. Slow cooker is excellent idea.

    2. Anita Sams

      Agreed. Marian, but if I’m going to fire up my crock pot, I’ll probably cook something yummy–baked apples, or homemade applesauce would have all the aroma of the simmering fruit, or maybe chilli on these chilly days. 🙂 I love my crockpot.

    3. SueA

      I have never done a “simmer pot” but it does remind me of fun times preparing for a large gathering at the church with a giant urn of clove studded orange slices and allspice stars floating in hot apple cider for the workers. Now that is festive!

    4. Angela W.

      5 stars
      I made one in my little dipper crockpot just now! Thanks for the inspiration and the lovely cascading smell throughout my home. It’s in plain view for easy refilling reminder.

    5. M. Land

      How long does a simmer pot last? Do you keep it on the stovetop with a lid when not I use?

      • Marian Parsons

        I actually did that overnight and used it for two days. It probably depends on what you have in it. The apples really started to break down on day two, but the rosemary and cinnamon sticks were still pretty good and it was still very fragrant. I’m not sure how far you can take it…

    6. Cheri

      5 stars
      I grew up with my mom and grandma having simmer pots on the stove every fall and winter. …. so naturally I have kept up the tradition! Adding fresh rosemary is a great idea!

    7. Jenny

      Be prepared that some of those ingredients will stain your dutch oven, which isn’t the worst thing, but keep it in mind. Another good reason to use your crockpot…

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