Monet and Me

 

Monet virtually poses with the Simmer Pot jar at Grandmaster E's house.

For my Italian Thanksgiving, Grandmaster E sent a jar of her delicious, meatball and sausage gravy. 

After I washed out the jar, I wondered what I could make to send the jar back. I was taught if someone sent a plate or container of food and the item was to be returned, it should never be returned empty.

What to send? Cookies? Candy? Grandmaster E is a world-class, Food Master, and my skills are no where near her level.

A search on what to put in a mason jar came up with a Simmer Pot. Perfect because last Christmas, Grandmaster E showed her simmering orange rinds, cinnamon sticks, etc. on her stovetop.

I already had some of the ingredients in the pantry. Cinnamon sticks, whole cloves. A trip to the grocery store for some whole cranberries, and cardamom pods. I could have bought some oranges and dried the peels, but that would have taken too long as the jar was to be returned when Himself went to help Master Beef at the Master in the Morning Class. So I ordered dried oranges and star anise.

The jar is very easy to assemble and there's really no right or wrong to the ingredients. Just scents that you like. The ingredients are layered or dumped into the jar. I used a Christmas napkin to cover the jar lid. I found the Christmas pick when I was looking for a doodad to use on Ink's wreath. Festively tied together with red and white baker's twine. I even found a free, printable, tag with directions online.

Grandmaster E loved the Simmer Pot and thought it would be too pretty to use. I told her to take a picture so she would always have it.