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Homemade spicy potpourri in less than five minutes!

January 2, 2017

It’s dreary outside here today. Rainy, and chilly. It is a day that makes me conjure in my mind all things warm and snuggly. Like wearing sweats, curling on the couch with a throw, petting my kitty, and drinking a warm beverage. Oh, and I dream of comfort food, too. Creamy soups, hearty stews, fresh bread. Mmmm ….. Also in my mind certain smells are in the forefront on this type of cold, damp day. Smells like the freshly baked bread I am imagining right now and chili simmering on the stove top. A crackling fire in a fireplace or a slightly sulphur-smelling fire in a coal stove, and the scent of Citrusy, spicy potpourri filling my home. Well, lucky me, a few of these things are happening right now! — the sweats, the warm beverage and the spicy potpourri 🙂

 

The homemade potpourri recipe I am sharing with you today is a super quick way to create that sense of warmth and coziness in your home anytime! Oh, and it smells wonderful, too! And the best part is, you don’t have to run out to buy anything special to make it. Use ingredients that you have on hand, improvise, and you will have your family saying — What smells so good in here?Scroll down to find the recipe after the pics. 🙂

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My James could eat 3 or 4 oranges at a time. I ALWAYS have orange peels on hand.
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I bet you are likely to have these or similar spices on hand in your cabinet.
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Throw it all into a small saucepan …
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Then add some water, and simmer slowly on your stove top!

Homemade Simmering Potpourri

  • peels from 2-3 oranges
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground gloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 cups water

Place the orange peels in a 1-2 quart saucepan, sprinkle the spices over them, and then pour water over all. Simmer on the stove top on LOW for 3-4 hours.

**Make sure to check the saucepan occasionally to see if you need to add more water.

That’s it! There is much to love about this simple potpourri recipe. You are re-purposing the peels which would otherwise be trash or compost; you are using ingredients which you likely have on hand; you are making your home smell amazing!

This recipe is very flexible. Here are some ways it can be tweaked.

  • Use lemon peels if you have them
  • Use whole spices (e.g., whole cloves, cinnamon stick, etc.)
  • Add a splash of vanilla extract
  • Add a bay leaf

What are some ways you like to spend a chilly, rainy afternoon? <3