Simmer pot mixes
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Dry simmer pot ingredients layered in jars with a ribbon and an instruction card. A frugal gift for hostesses, teachers and neighbors.
What You’ll Need
- 1 mandarin orange sliced; 2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half; 1/2 cup fresh cranberries; 1 tsp whole cloves; per jar (scents of the holiday season mix)
- Optional additions: whole nutmeg, whole allspice, lemon peels, dried orange peels, fresh pine needles, bay leaves, rosemary
- Jars ribbon, handwritten gift tag, small sprig of pine (optional); instruction card
Equipment
- mason jars
Directions
- Divide the dry ingredients among several jars to give as gifts for a hostess, teacher, or neighbor.
- Tie on a ribbon and a handwritten tag; a small pine sprig tucked into the ribbon is a nice touch.
- Add a card explaining how to prepare any fresh ingredient (for example, slice the orange) and how to simmer the mix on the stove or in a slow cooker.
- For a bigger gift, pack a large batch in a cellophane bag and place it inside a glass simmer pot or small crockpot.
Notes
To use: put the ingredients in a small pot, add water to about one inch below the rim, bring to a boil, reduce to low and simmer as long as you like, adding water as needed. Can be covered, refrigerated overnight and reused the next day. Dried orange slices are better for gift jars, since fresh slices can mold. Dry potpourri keeps up to a few months tightly sealed in glass, away from heat and light. Safety: never leave the pot unattended; don't let it boil dry. Not for eating; label the jar so it isn't mistaken for a food mix.