One of my biggest hosting tips is ensuring your home smells fresh and inviting when guests arrive. I like to have a candle burning in the entryway, give the rooms and entryway a light spray with air freshener, and put a simmer pot on the stove. Simmer pots are just that—a pot of simmering herbs, citrus, and spices that release a lovely scent as they gently simmer on the stovetop. They’re easy to assemble, inexpensive, and take little to no measuring.
On my Instagram, I walk you through how to make a simmer pot, which you can watch here. I designate a heat-resistant glass pot I found on Amazon that comes with a ventable lid. Having a pot I use just for simmering means I don’t have to worry about leaving stains or odors in the pots I use for cooking. And by using glass, you are always aware of the water level to prevent it from drying out.
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Add about 4-5 cups of water to the pot and gently mix your ingredients with a spoon. Set on the stove and let it come to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low for as long as you want the pot to simmer.**
Spring Simmer Pot:
Ingredients:
One thinly sliced lemon
Several sprigs of fresh thyme and mint. Hold them gently in your palm and massage them to help release the natural oils. (you can substitute the thyme and mint for rosemary or lavender if you prefer).
2-3 small slices of fresh (not ground) ginger – cut into thin slices
Add about 4-5 cups of tap water to your pot, toss in the above ingredients, and let the pot come to a gentle boil on medium heat (this will take about 7-10 minutes), then reduce the temperature to low.
Fall Simmer Pot
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Fall seems to be the season I most often make simmer pots because I love the cozy smell of cloves and cinnamon. This is a recipe I developed several years ago. You can download a copy to your computer to spring and use later. Access the free printable here in my digital store.
I hope you enjoy these recipes. Be creative and come up with your own signature scent!
Note: Never ever leave a simmering pot unattended on the stove and leave the house for any amount of time while the cooktop is on. Keep out of the reach of children and pets, as the water is scalding hot. Be sure to check on the water level frequently to prevent the pot from boiling dry.
Hospitality is in my DNA. I founded Home with a Twist, a daughter’s twist on her mother’s traditions, in memory of my mother to celebrate her life and the gifts she shared with me. Mother loved to celebrate life’s occasions – big and small.
