Spiced Pear Simmer Pot
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An autumn inspired spiced pear simmer pot made with pears, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and vanilla. Made with readily available ingredients and assembled in a standard stock pot, this fragrant stovetop potpourri provides a natural alternative to air fresheners and candles, and is ideal for repurposing fruit or spices left over from other fall recipes.
Key Ingredients
- Pears – You can use any variety of ripe, fresh pear you’d like, such as Bosc or Anjou. (I developed this recipe with pears left over after making my puff pastry pear and blue cheese tart.) It’s fine to core the pears for visual appeal, but they’ll smell just as nice if you slice and toss them in, cores, stems, and all. This recipe also offers a good way to repurpose pears that are too ripe for eating, since you don’t have to worry about taste, mushy spots, or visual blemishes. In addition to fresh pear, I’ve whisked a jar of pear baby food into the pot to deepen the pear scent.
- Vanilla – Vanilla adds a warm, creamy, comforting scent to the simmer pot blend. I prefer to use a whole vanilla pod (these usually come in a big bag or jar, so you’ll have plenty left over to make a vanilla chai tea simmer pot or a gingerbread simmer pot, too. You can also use them to make your own vanilla extract or a batch of homemade vanilla bean ice cream.) If you don’t have vanilla pods or they’re too expensive where you live, whisk one tablespoon of vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract into the water along with the pear purée instead.
- Lemon – Sliced fresh lemon complements the pear and fills your home with the clean, bright scent of citrus. Use a sharp chef’s knife to slice the fruit into very thin slices, otherwise they will sink to the bottom rather than floating on top.
- Herbs – I added fresh thyme from my windowsill herb garden, but you can buy potted or pre-packaged thyme at most supermarkets. (During the holiday season, it’s often bundled with rosemary and sage and sold as “poultry blend” or “roasting blend.”) Fresh herbs add fragrance and a pop of green color. If you can’t find fresh thyme, replace it with another fresh herb, such as rosemary, mint, or sage. Do not use dried herbs.
- Spices – Cardamom pods, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and sliced fresh ginger create the “spiced” portion of this spiced pear simmer pot. You can purchase bulk dried spices on Amazon; in the international aisle at many supermarkets; at an Indian grocer; or from a specialty shop like Kalustyan’s in NYC.
Simmer Pot Tips
- Add your own fragrance twist. Change up the fresh herbs; replace the lemon with orange or lime; add a handful of dried citrus slices; or toss in other favorite whole spices, such as nutmeg, allspice, or star anise.
- Rest after whisking. After whisking the pear baby food into the water, allow the pot to stand for 2-3 minutes before adding the other components. If you do it immediately, the fruit and spices will slosh and swirl around in the water. It will still smell lovely, but will lack visual appeal.
- Replace the pear purée. If you can’t find pear baby food, you can replace it with another baby food or fruit purèe, such as apple, blackberry, or pumpkin. Even applesauce will work in a pinch.
Spiced Pear Simmer Pot
- Total Time5 minutes
- Yield1 simmer pot 1x
An autumn inspired spiced pear simmer pot made with pears, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Ingredients
113 grams pear purée or pear baby food (4-ounce jar)
1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste, or 1 vanilla pod, split
2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced into 1/4-inch pieces (about 25 grams)
1 cinnamon stick
2 teaspoons whole cloves
1 teaspoon whole cardamom pods
4-5 sprigs fresh thyme
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 pear, thinly sliced
Instructions
Fill a large saucepan or stock pot with water, allowing a few inches of at the top to add your ingredients.
Whisk in the pear purée and vanilla bean paste.
Add all remaining ingredients to the pot.
Bring to a gentle simmer on the stovetop.
Simmer over low heat for as long as desired, topping up with additional water as needed.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Simmer Pots
- Method: Stovetop
Simmer Pot Safety
Never leave a simmer pot unattended on the stovetop. Stay nearby and top up the pot with fresh water to keep it from running dry. Take extra caution if you have young children or pets nearby. And remember that this simmer pot recipe is designed for its scent and is not meant for consumption.
When you’re done enjoying your pear spice simmer pot, pass the contents through a colander or mesh strainer. Drain, then discard the water-logged fruit, herbs, and flowers along with food waste or household garbage.
Other Simmer Pot Recipes You Might Enjoy
Mediterranean Herb Garden Simmer Pot
Earl Grey Simmer Pot
Pumpkin Spice Simmer Pot
Star Anise and Orange Simmer Pot
Lavender 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!
