Mediterranean Herb Garden Simmer Pot
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A Mediterranean herb garden simmer pot drawing inspiration from the classic Italian herb garden. Featuring bunches of fresh, earthy rosemary, thyme, basil, and sage, plus pure lemon oil and slices of fresh lemon for a note of bright citrus, this simmer pot really does remind me of a summer garden.
What Inspired My Mediterranean Simmer Pot?
No matter where I am, I always have some kind of an herb garden going. For many years I lived in a New York City apartment with a generously-sized terrace, which I filled with window boxes of flowers; planters full of jalapeño, tomato, and strawberry plants; sweet potato vines and green beans climbing a wooden trellis; and every kind of potted herb I could find at the Union Square Greenmarket, from classics like parsley and rosemary to more unique finds like Thai basil, lemon thyme, and chocolate mint.
These days, my “herb garden” is just a few pots on the windowsill, but I’m still able to grow enough to enjoy throughout the year. I love adding fresh herbs to recipes both sweet (basil-infused truffles, lavender lemon tartlets) and savory (rosemary focaccia, red potato salad). And I’m forever finding new ways to incorporate my freshly grown herbs into fragrant stovetop simmer pots. This lime and thyme simmer pot and this spring simmer pot are two of my all-time favorites, but right now I’m really digging this herb-inspired blend.
Key Ingredients
- Lemon Oil – I tested this recipe with a natural lemon oil from LorAnn oils, but any pure, good-quality, good-smelling lemon oil will work. Use 10-15 drops, or more as desired. Don’t substitute a lemon extract or baking emulsion; these are mostly alcohol, and aren’t potent enough to create a strong-smelling simmer pot.
- Fresh Herbs – This simmer pot features a blend of fresh rosemary, basil, sage, and thyme. You can also add a bay leaf and/or a small bunch of oregano to your mix, but this simmer pot already runs more savory than sweet, and I found that these herbs made the scent too…pizza-esque for my liking. Your mileage may vary!
- Lemon – Thinly sliced fresh lemon adds a clean, bright, citrus-y note. Add a second sliced lemon for a stronger citrus flavor, or pair the lemon with slices of fresh orange or lime.
Mediterranean Herb Garden Simmer Pot
- Total Time5 minutes
- Yield1 simmer pot 1x
A Mediterranean herb garden simmer pot featuring a fragrant blend of lemon, sage, rosemary, basil, and thyme.
Ingredients
10-15 drops lemon oil
Small bunch fresh sage leaves
4-6 sprigs fresh rosemary
Small bunch fresh basil
Small bunch fresh thyme
1 lemon, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Simmer Pots
- Method: Stovetop
Safety Considerations
Never leave a simmer pot unattended. Stay nearby to keep an eye on the pot, adding more water as needed. Don’t allow the pan to run dry, and avoid using it when there are kids or pets nearby. And although the ingredients are natural, I don’t recommend eating or drinking the contents of the pot.
Make-Ahead, Re-Use, and Disposal
You can assemble this simmer pot in less than five minutes. For the first simmer, assemble the pot just before you’re ready to simmer and enjoy.
To re-use: Remove the pot from the stove and cover with a lid. When ready to reuse, “top up” with fresh water. I also like to add some fresh lemon slices and a few bunches of fresh herbs to the pot.
To dispose: Once you’re done enjoying the herbal scent, allow to cool then pass through a fine mesh sieve or metal colander to drain. Dispose of water-logged fruit and herbs with food scraps, compost, or regular household waste.
Other Simmer Pot Recipes You Might Enjoy
Citrus Simmer Pot
Vanilla Simmer Pot with Chai
Rose Simmer Pot
Lime and Thyme Simmer Pot
Star Anise and Orange Simmer Pot
And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!
