Chicken stock
I realise that the picture might not sell this to you as it’s not a very appetising one BUT if you want full control over what goes into your system, especially during autumn/winter when you tend to eat a lot more soups and stews, I can wholeheartedly recommend making homemade chicken stock instead of buying it in store.
It is super easy to make and can be used for so many various things (soups, stews, sauces, gravy etc)!
INGREDIENTS
- 1-1.5kg chicken (doesn’t matter if it’s the same parts or one whole that you chop up, just makes sure it has BONES and skin as that gives it the flavour!)
- 1 big yellow onion
- A bit of olive oil (not too much as the skin will give off oils)
- Fresh herbs (I use a mix of thyme, rosemary and sometimes parsley)
- Some roughly chopped carrots (optional – adds nice colour and sweetness but not really needed!)
- Some roughly chopped parsnips (optional – adds sweetness but not really needed!)
- Salt & pepper (and chilli flakes if you want it a bit spicey)
METHOD
- Finely chop up the onion and add to a big pot
- Add the oil, salt & pepper and chicken to the pot (and the chopped root veg + chilli if you’re using them)
- On medium heat, fry everything until the onion is more or less see-through
- Add enough water so that it goes two fingers worth over the top of the chicken (so put two fingers together, tilt to the side and thats how much the water should go over the chicken
- Add the fresh herbs (as much as you want really…) and cover the pot
- Cook for AT LEAST 60-80 minutes on low heat
- Once some of the water has boiled off, have a taste and either take it off the stove or continue cooking (up to your preferences)
- Take out EVERYTHING that’s in the stock (leftovers can make it go bad much quicker) and if you’re worried about the amount of oil/fat – simply cool it down and take off the “hardened fat” off the top before using the stock for anything.
Now I personally don’t like wasting food, so I usually take the chicken that has been boiled to pieces and use it in salads or broths.
Check out some of the other recipes if you would like to do the same!