I keep a tiny crock pot of this potpourri simmering all day long, from about Halloween on (you may also use a pan on the stovetop). Below is a list of ingredient possibilities. Just use whatever you have on hand, and whatever you think would add to the scent already started. This year, we are blessed enough to have our own citrus trees producing. In other years, I would use citrus peels after using the fruit in cooking. You may also do without the citrus –
remember, this is a “this ‘n that” type of recipe!
I keep the crock pot filled with water or apple juice as it evaporates. You can reuse the spices and citrus in the crock or pan until they start to look too wilted or “yucky.”
This recipe may also be used as a dry potpourri. I like to keep it in a bowl where I enjoy it as a dry potpourri, but can easily get to it to add a tablespoon now and then to my simmering mini crock pot.
Orange peels *
Lemon peels *
Lime peels *
Star Anise
Whole cloves
Whole allspice
Ginger pieces
Cinnamon pieces or broken sticks
Bay leaves
Apple juice or Water
Ground spices (sprinkled on top of liquid)
* Citrus Peels:
Use them straight from the kitchen for yourself, but if packaging some of this simmering potpourri for a gift, here is how to dry it:
Peel the citrus from the fruit. Cut or tear the peel into 1″ pieces.
Spread the peel on a paper-towel-lined pan. Place in a preheated 175F oven, or set oven to WARM. Dry in oven for 1-1/2 hours, tossing occasionally. Peels should be leathery and/or slightly crunchy.
Spread peels on dry paper towels to air dry for another 24 hours (rush this in your oven if making for Christmas gifts).
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