[header] How to simmer [title] Read the recipe closely. [step] Directions for simmering vary from recipe to recipe. In most cases, a recipe will suggest one of two ways to do it. 
It may ask you to bring the liquid of a dish to a simmer, which means to slowly bring the liquid to just below boiling point over low heat. The other common direction is to bring the liquid of a dish to the boiling point first, and then reduce it to a simmer.