The beauty of a good hearty chicken stock is, that not only is it packed with health benefits, it can be the base for hundreds of different, quick and simple recipe's. The recipe I'm posting is fairly basic, but really you can add whatever herbs or root veg you have in your kitchen, and experiment with the flavors. The cooking process breaks down the ingredients and the finished product contains minerals like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, in a form which the body can easily absorb.
Now I know that making stock is not the most exciting of recipe's to talk about, but once you do have the rich golden finished product, it can be transformed so easily. Boil a portion of the stock, add some minced garlic, ginger and chili, some fish sauce and rice wine vinegar and drop in some cooked noodles. Top with some spring onion sliced thinly and within minutes you have a healthy, hearty, Asian inspired soup.
The easiest time to make this stock is probably right after you have devoured a roast chicken, as the bones are more than likely ready for use! Just throw the ingredients in the pot and let it boil away for a few hours- effort level zero! Alternatively you can throw the bones into a zip lock bag and store in the freezer until you find a perfect stock making day.
Basic Chicken Stock
- Leftover bones and carcass of chicken
- 8 Litres of Water
- 12fl oz White Wine
- 1 white onion Chopped
- 1 large carrot Sliced
- 1 Large Leek Sliced
- 1 Stick of Celery chopped
- 3 Stalks of Parsley
- 8 Black peppercorns
Then add the rest of the ingredients and allow to simmer consistently for 3 hours or until the flavour is right for you.
Make sure to check on the pot ever now and then to skim any fat that rises to the surface- this while make sure you have a nice clear stock.
The stock can be kept in the fridge for a few days or frozen in handy bags in the freezer. You can also store some of the liquid in ice cube trays, which comes in handy to add an extra bit of flavour to sauces, and gravy.
And if thats not enough about stock for one day check out this interesting article.