Essential Chicken Stock Recipes

THE BEST CHICKEN STOCK

Steps:

• Put the chicken backs and bones, carrots, celery, onion, parsley, leek greens, garlic, black peppercorns and 6 quarts (1 1/2 gallons) of cold water in a large stock pot. Set over high heat and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the stock has reduced by about a third, about 3 hours, occasionally skimming away the fat and scum.
• Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the large pieces of vegetable and bone from the pot and discard. Strain the stock through a fine-mesh sieve into another large stock pot. Cool completely, cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

BASIC CHICKEN STOCK

Steps:

• Place the bones and the water in a large stockpot, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and boil gently for 30 minutes. Most of the fat and impurities will come to the surface during this time; skim off and discard as much of them as you can.
• Add the remainder of the ingredients, return the liquid to a boil and boil gently for 2 hours. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve or through a colander lined with a dampened cloth kitchen towel or dampened paper towels.
• Allow the stock to cool. Then remove the surface fat and freeze the stock in plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Use as needed.

ESSENTIAL CHICKEN STOCK

Steps:

• Place chicken, vegetables, bay leaves, and peppercorns in a large stockpot with 3 quarts water. Bring to a boil, skimming impurities as they rise to the top. Reduce heat and simmer, skimming occasionally, until richly flavored, 3 to 4 hours. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof container. Refrigerate at least 8 hours to allow fat (schmaltz) to solidify on top; skim and reserve. Store in refrigerator up to 3 days, or freeze up to 3 months.

CHICKEN STOCK

Steps:

• Tip everything into a large saucepan with a pinch of salt then cover with 2 litres of water. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 3 hours, skimming when needed. Pass through a sieve and use for your intended recipe. Will keep in the fridge for a week and for three months in the freezer.

CHICKEN STOCK

Steps:

• Put everything but the vinegar in a large stockpot. Bring the stock to a boil over high heat, then turn down to a simmer.
• Skim off any foam that rises to the surface. Add the vinegar. (It helps draw out nutrients and minerals from the bones into the stock.)
• Simmer the stock for 6 to 8 hours, covered, keeping an eye on it to make sure it stays at a simmer.
• Strain the stock through a fine-meshed sieve. Let cool.
• Scrape the fat that rises to the top. (Save it in the fridge or freezer for matzoh ball soup.) Refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

CHEF JOHN'S HOMEMADE CHICKEN STOCK

Steps:

• Combine chicken, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf in a large stockpot; pour water into pot. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, being careful not to let the mixture come to a boil. Once simmering, skim off any foam or impurities that accumulate on the surface of the water and reduce the heat to low.
• Gently simmer the mixture on low for 12 hours, skimming off any foam as needed.
• Remove stockpot from heat and let cool for 1 hour.
• Pour stock through a fine strainer and transfer to food-safe containers.

BASIC CHICKEN STOCK

Steps:

• Quarter onion. Chop scrubbed celery and carrot into 1 inch chunks. Place chicken pieces, onion, celery, carrot, salt, and cloves in large soup pot or Dutch oven. Add 6 cups water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
• Remove chicken and vegetables. Strain stock. Skim fat off the surface.
• To clarify stock for clear soup, removing solid flecks that are too small to be strained out with cheesecloth, follow this method. Separate the egg white from the egg yolk, and reserve the shell. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup cold water, egg white, and crushed eggshell. Add to strained stock, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, and let stand 5 minutes. Strain again through a sieve lined with cheesecloth.