Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose, quick homemade potpourri simmering on the stove….wait what? That’s right; the next thing to add to your list of holiday preparation is making a batch (or two, or ten) of this simple potpourri, which will make your house smell like the sweet, warm, spicy goodness of the holiday season. I’d never made potpourri before now, and I can’t believe what I’ve been missing! I had all the ingredients at home, it took me about 2 minutes to put together, and it simmered away for hours, making my house smell like Christmas! I can’t imagine how many other sumptuous potpourri combinations I could come up with…I’m thinking of trying some sort of lemon version or maybe using apple cider instead of water. Yum!
If you’re looking for a quick, inexpensive gift for the holidays, consider putting together potpourri mixes. Just tie up an orange, cranberries, and the whole spices in a cute little bag with instructions and you’ll be good to go!
I’ll be back soon with more delicious holiday recipes…since it’s still only November I’ve been trying super hard to hold back my enthusiasm for Christmas but it’s becoming more and more difficult…soon it’ll be like trying to hold back Niagara Falls with a Kleenex. It’s safe to say that I’m pretty into the holidays. <–Understatement of the year. In the meantime, start off the season by filling your house with the delicious smell of potpourri. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or any other occasion, this fruity, spicy scent will be sure to get you into the holiday spirit!
Holiday Potpourri
Peel from 1 large orange or 2 medium satsumas
1/2 cup fresh cranberries
1 Tbs whole cloves or 1/2 tsp ground cloves
3 cinnamon sticks or 1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
Pour 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan. Add in orange peel, cranberries, spices, and vanilla. Turn up heat to medium, bring mixture to a boil, and reduce to a low simmer. Simmer for as long as desired, refilling water every 30 minutes or so as it starts to evaporate. Potpourri can be re-used for up to 3 days or until it starts to lose its scent.
(Recipe inspired by Make it Do)
Emma's Baking Addiction 