Simmer for Dummies

Simmer means to cook something gently over low heat so that it stays just below boiling temperature. Picture this, let's say you have a pot of savory soup on the stove, filled with delicious ingredients like vegetables, meat, and spices. Now, if you turn the heat up too high, the soup will start bubbling and boiling vigorously, which is not what we want. We want the soup to cook slowly and gently, right? That's where simmering comes into play. When you simmer something, you keep the heat low so that the liquid in the pot is just barely moving, with a few tiny bubbles occasionally breaking the surface. It's like the liquid is taking a peaceful nap, slowly cooking all the ingredients to perfection.

But wait, there's more! Simmering can also have another meaning. It can describe a situation where emotions or tension are brewing just below the surface, ready to bubble up at any moment. Think of a pot of water on the stove again, but this time imagine that the water represents our feelings. Sometimes, we might feel angry, frustrated, or excited, but we don't want those emotions to boil over and cause a mess, do we? So, instead, we let them simmer, giving ourselves time to cool down or think things through before reacting.

So, whether it's about gently cooking food or keeping our emotions in check, the word "simmer" refers to a slow and gentle process where things are just below the boiling point. It's all about maintaining a calm and controlled state, whether it's in the kitchen or in our own hearts and minds.