Name: Fall Simmering Spices
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h
Yield: N/A
Ingredients: Peels from 1 large orange (or 3 small clementines); 1 vanilla bean, cut into 1 inch pieces; 2 cinnamon sticks; 1 tsp whole cloves; optional: 2 star anise, freshly grated nutmeg, cardamom pods

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Want your house to smell amazing all season long? Throw on a pot of these Fall Simmering Spices and all your neighbors will come running over to see what’s cooking! All you need are some orange peels, vanilla beans and cinnamon sticks!

When it comes to senses, I’ve always believed that my sense of smell is the best of them all. I have selective hearing, can only see clearly with my glasses, I encompass taste under olfactory senses and for point-making purposes I’m excluding touch.

I can literally relive a memory just by smelling something and if it were socially appropriate for me to smell everything before I ate it, I totally would. I think the reason I love cooking is because I truly enjoy being surrounded by intoxicating smells.

So for me, a recipe for simmering spices makes complete sense. Even if it’s only purpose is to smell great, I can get down with that.

What are simmering spices?

They’re basically a home diffuser made from spices and kitchen ingredients that you let simmer on your stovetop to make your house smell amazing. Instead of going out and buying home diffusers, essential oils or candles that can be expensive (and occasionally have questionable aka toxic ingredients!), you can make simmering spices in minutes with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.

It may seem odd at first why anyone would want to do this, but once your house fills up with the intoxicating smell of fall spices, you will completely understand…and suddenly find yourself wanting to rake leaves, drink bottomless PSLs and debut your entire scarf and sweater collection. Oh, the power of smell.

Here’s What You Need:

Peels from 1 large orange (or 3 small clementines)

1 vanilla bean

2 cinnamon sticks

1 tsp whole cloves

optional: 2 star anise, freshly grated nutmeg, cardamom pods

How to Make Simmering Spices

STEP 1: Add 6 cups of water to a medium pot and bring to a boil.

STEP 2: Stir in all ingredients and let the mixture boil for 2 minutes.

STEP 3: Reduce the heat to a simmer and let simmer for as long as you’d like! I recommend adding ¼ cup of water for each hour you leave simmering to make sure the spices don’t burn.

STEP 4: When you’re done simmering your spices, you can compost the mixture or toss the solids and pour the liquid down the drain.

I love to make simmering spices on any ole day but it’s especially great when guests are coming over. It’s the most welcoming smell to walk into a home to!