Instant Christmas Scent Simmer
I found this in a Time-Life Old Fashioned Christmas cookbook. I LOVE this stuff.
I keep it on the stove and boil it all day long the week of Christmas. Gave it as Christmas gifts to friends.
P.S. the recipe is as written in the book... just wanted to add that I've never taken mine off the stove. I keep in the pot and just keep adding water to it until the scent weakens. Then I mix up a new batch!
Submitted by: Lynne from Pittsburgh, PA
Yield: ---- not edible... for scent only
Preparation Instructions:
1. Place the cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, anise and ginger in a 2-quart saucepan. Add the water and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Do not cover.
2. Reduce the heat to low and keep this brew simmering on your stove or on your woodstove.
NOTE: The mixture can be stored in the refrigerator to use again and again until the scent has diminished.
thespicehouse.com
More About This Recipe
At the top of recipe it states: "For a lovely gift, make up a package of the dry ingredients of this mixture, along with instructions on how to use it. The simmering spices will perfume the entire house."
A perfect solution to an excess of spices left from years past. Mixed one up for myself and enjoyed it so much I headed to a thrift shop where I found a small crock pot for safe simmering and empty glass spice jars for making additional individual batches. After layering the spices, I added star anise, whole cloves and a cinnamon stick poked down through it all, for a bit of a festive holiday look. I’m attaching the recipe on the back of a hangtag tied with a christmas ribbon and a jingle bell. Who wouldn’t want to receive this?
Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed the scent.
Note: If you don’t have a woodstove and do not want to leave your stove on, try some of the boiled liquid in a cup on those small warmer plates for coffee or those small crockpot things. Keeps it hot and no danger of fire.
I haven’t even made it yet, but I can smell it already. I’m going to try it tonight!!! Thanks for the great idea.