Flavorful Fish Stock Recipes

HOMEMADE FISH STOCK

Steps:

• Wash fish in cold water and drain well.
• Melt butter in a pan over low heat. Add leeks, carrot, and celery; cook until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add fish parts, wine, and water and bring to a boil, about 5 minutes. Skim and discard residue. Add bouquet garni, peppercorns, and lemon; return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes; skim and discard residue frequently.
• Strain stock into a bowl through a colander lined with cheesecloth. Allow to cool before storing in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

STRONG FISH STOCK

Steps:

• 1. Melt the butter in a heavy 7- to 8-quart stockpot over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, carrots, bay leaves, parsley, thyme, and peppercorns and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until the vegetables become very soft without browning, about 8 minutes.
• 2. Place the fish head on the vegetables and stack the fish frames evenly on top. Pour in the wine, cover the pot tightly, and let the bones sweat for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they have turned completely white.
• 3. Add enough very hot or boiling water to just barely cover the bones. Give the mixture a gentle stir and allow the brew to come to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, uncovered, carefully skimming off any white foam that comes to the surface, trying not to take any herbs, spices, or vegetables with it. (Using a ladle and a circular motion, push the foam from the center to the outside of the pot, where it is easy to remove.)
• 4. Remove the pot from the stove, stir the stock again, and allow it to steep for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer and season lightly with salt. If you are not going to be using the stock within the hour, chill it as quickly as possible. Cover the stock after it is thoroughly chilled (it will have a light jellied consistency) and keep refrigerated for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

FLAVORFUL FISH STOCK

Steps:

• Combine 1 1/2 pounds white fish bones or cleaned heads, some roughly chopped carrot, celery and onion, 1 bay leaf, a crushed garlic clove, a few slices of lemon, 4 or 5 black peppercorns, 1/2 cup white wine and 5 1/2 cups water.
• Bring almost to a boil, simmer and strain.
• If you like, substitute crushed tomatoes or cream for some of the water.

FISH STOCK

Steps:

• Wash fish heads and bones well to eliminate all traces of blood. Cut out the blood-rich gills with scissors.
• Put heads and bones in pot, and cover with 2 1/2 quarts water. Place over high heat, and bring to boil. Skim off scum that rises to top. Lower heat, and simmer stock for 4 to 6 hours, or until approximately 7 cups of broth remain, skimming as necessary. (To make extra-rich stock, used in the recipe below, cook for an extra hour.)
• Strain stock through a damp cloth-lined sieve. Stock can be used immediately, or refrigerated or frozen.

FISH STOCK

Steps:

• Chop the vegetables into quarter-inch cubes so they will infuse the maximum flavor to the broth. Place them in a stockpot that holds at least three quarts. Lay the fish bones on top. Pour the water over. Place over medium heat and bring very slowly to a boil, then immediately lower the heat. Simmer for 15 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat and let the stock cool completely before straining.

TRADITIONAL FISH STOCK

Steps:

• 1. In a 7- to 8-quart stockpot, combine the fish bones, white wine, and just enough water to cover (you won't need the full 2 quarts of water here). Bring to a boil, skimming off the white foam from the top of the stock as it approaches boiling, then reduce the heat so the stock simmers. (Using a ladle and a circular motion, push the foam from the center to the outside of the pot, where it is easy to remove.)
• 2. Add the onions, celery, carrots, bay leaves, parsley, thyme, and peppercorns and stir them into the liquid. If the ingredients are not covered by the liquid, add a little more water. Allow the stock to simmer gently for 20 minutes.
• 3. Remove the stock from the stove, stir it again, and allow it to steep for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer and season lightly with salt. If you are not going to be using the stock within the hour, chill it as quickly as possible. Cover the stock after it has completely cooled and keep refrigerated for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
• For equipment, you will need a 7- to 8-quart stockpot, a ladle, and a fine-mesh strainer.