Fall Equinox Simmer Pot
This easy fall simmer pot will make your house instantly cozy! With apple, oranges, herbs, and spices, it’s simple to throw together, but with a long-lasting scent ideal for celebrating the equinox, Thanksgiving, or anytime you could use a little extra coziness.
Disclaimer: I was anti-simmer pots for years. I thought they seemed wasteful since you were cooking food but then not eating it.
But then, I tried one.
Wouldn’t you know that I LOVED it? It was so much more than apple cider or something because of the layers of flavors.
The slices of apples, orange peels, cinnamon sticks, allspice berries…They are all great on their own, but then you add some fresh herbs.
The combination of different scents together – the sweet and the savory – is absolutely enchanting.
I’m hooked now and will be sharing more seasonal simmer pot recipes going forward, so stay tuned!
Want to make the most of the cozy season? My post, The Ultimate Guide to Slow Living in Fall, will give you plenty of activities, mindsets, and recipes to savor.
Why you’ll love this Simple Fall Simmer Pot Recipe
- Easy way to tap into your senses and celebrate the season
- Long-lasting aroma that infuses the whole house
- Can be made on the stove or in the crockpot to take to parties
- Great way to use up aging produce that may not be desirable to eat fresh anymore
- Simple alternative to candles, air fresheners, or potpourri, especially for people who can’t tolerate fragrance
Fall Simmer Pot Ingredients
- Apple slices – Any type of apple will do. I had Cosmic Crisp on hand, and it worked great.
- Orange slices – You could use just the peel, but I had some mandarin oranges I sliced into rounds.
- Dried spices – You’ll want whole spices, like whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, star anise, etc. They have the longest lasting aroma.
- Fresh herbs – Try to use whatever you have available. My sage plant does great this time of year, but rosemary would be a great option.
How to Make a Fall Simmer Pot
- ½ gallon water, two quarts
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1-2 oranges, sliced into rings
- 1-2 bunches of fresh sage
- 2 bay leaves
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks
- 5-10 cloves
- 3-5 allspice berries
- 1-2 star anise
Combine all ingredients in a large pot and warm over medium low to low heat. I like to start over medium, bring it a boil, then drop the heat to low to let it steep a long time.
Keep an eye on the water level throughout the day to avoid burning or scorching. Let it simmer for hours until you are done with it.
Tips & Variations
- Adjust the fruit. Replace the apple with pears. Sprinkle some cranberries for more of a wintry vibe.
- Change the citrus. Replace the orange with fresh lemon or even a couple of limes.
- Change the spices. This recipe is flexible. Add a knob of ginger, black peppercorns, freshly grated nutmeg, a vanilla bean, or a few cardamom pods.
