• Scale of Muscle:
• Yield: about 7 quarts
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When creating a homemade pantry, if I was looking for the first thing to make that could provide countless opportunities to quickly concoct something soothing and delicious, I would absolutely vote for homemade stock. Whether you want to make a pot of soup, simmer a rice pilaf, throw together a fast yet full-flavored pan-sauce, or slow-cook classic roux-based gravy, homemade stock is one of those truly pivotal components essential to the quality of a finished dish.

When making chicken stock, I like to add a large stewing hen that’s been sawed in half by my butcher. Although not necessary, because the flesh is more mature, a stewing hen naturally adds more depth of flavor.

Any time I’ve suggested a tool, a piece of equipment, or a culinary term that’s unfamiliar to you, you can go to Kitchen Management for more information.

If you check out my Chicken Stock video and Chicken Soup video, you’ll learn why (and see how) to make a few different types of stock in advance so it’s always available in the freezer. This is really the only way to, at whim, get a great bowl of chicken soup on the table–in a hurry!.

After simmering and straining, the greasy liquid needs to chill so the fat can congeal on top.

After chilling, the fat is easy to remove.

Special Equipment

• 16-quart stock pot
• Long-handled skimmer (optional)
• Wooden spatula, for deglazing (optional)

For chicken stock:

• About 6 to 8 pounds assorted bony chicken parts, skin left intact (backs, necks wing tips, feet, etc.) and, if available, a cooked chicken or turkey carcass
• Salt, as needed
• 1 large stewing hen (optional) with neck and gizzard (no liver), well rinsed
• About 16 cups assorted scrubbed and cut up aromatic vegetables: large unpeeled yellow onions, root ends removed, leeks, carrots, celery, unpeeled garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
• A few sprigs parsley
• Generous pinch crumbled dried thyme (optional)

1. To brown boney parts with onions: Preheat the oven to 450°F. Sprinkle the rinsed and well-dried bony chicken parts lightly with salt and toss them with some chopped onions. Place the chicken (skin side up) and the onions on 2 shallow baking sheets and roast in the hot oven until the onions and chicken are deeply golden and caramelized, about 30 minutes. (If roasting on two racks, position them on the upper and lower third levels of the oven and switch the baking sheets half way through roasting.)

2. To deglaze the pan(s): Remove the baking sheets from the oven and scrape all the browned ingredients into a tall 16-quart stockpot. Working with one at a time, place a baking sheet directly on the stove burner and pour in some boiling water. Turn the heat to low and, using the flat edge of a wooden spatula, scrape any caramelized bits of chicken and onions off the bottom of the sheet.

3. To assemble the stock and simmer: Carefully pour this flavorful liquid into the stockpot and add the remaining ingredients, along with enough cold water to generously cover the solids by at least 2 inches. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently, with the cover ajar, for 2 hours, occasionally skimming off any scum that rises to the surface. Carefully remove the hen (if using) and allow it to become cool enough to handle. Remove the meat, set aside for another use, and return the skin and bones to the simmering broth along with some more fresh vegetables. Continue to simmer with the cover ajar for 1 more hour. Uncover the pot and continue to simmer, very gently, for another 1 to 3 hours to reduce and concentrate the flavors. During this time, occasionally press down on the solids to extract any remaining goodness.

4. To strain, cool, de-fat and store the stock: Allow the stock to cool with the solids, off the heat. Place a large sturdy triple mesh sieve over an extra-large bowl and strain the stock into the bowl while you discard the solids from the colander. Clean the stockpot and pour the stock through a fine-mesh sieve back into the pot. Clean the bowl and pour the strained stock back into the bowl and cover well with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the stock for 48 hours to allow all the fat to solidify and rise to the top of the bowl.

Use a large shallow spoon to scoop off the thick yellow layer of congealed fat on top of the chilled gelatinous stock. At this point you can either season the stock with salt and pepper to taste and use it now, in your recipe, or divide it among labeled heavy-duty freezer container and freeze it for future use. (Don’t season the stock until you know its ultimate use.) You can also reduce it further which will concentrate the flavors even more (see timing and storing information below). Again, don’t salt the liquid until after simmering to avoid over seasoning.

Timing is Everything

Stock can be refrigerated for up to three days before using, if kept very cold.

Stock can and should be made well in advance and kept in securely covered tubs of different sized in the freezer. Stock freezes perfectly for at least 6 months. Always boil thawed stock for a solid minute before eating. (And yes, you can refreeze leftover stock once it’s been thawed, re-boiled and cooled.)

If freezer space is an issue, after removing all the fat, reduce the stock to ½ its original volume (or even less) and, once cool, freeze. To use the thawed stock “concentrate,” add an equal amount of water.

If you don’t want all your plastic tubs to be in the freezer, once the stock is frozen, pop it out of its container and place the frozen stock in a sealed heavy-duty plastic bag. Place back in the freezer until needed.

SHOPPING LIST

At-a-Glance Reminder of Ingredients

• About 6 to 8 pounds assorted bony chicken parts, skin left intact (backs, necks wing tips, feet, etc.) and, if available, a cooked chicken or turkey carcass
• Salt, as needed
• 1 large stewing hen (optional) with neck and gizzard (no liver), well rinsed
• About 16 cups assorted scrubbed and cut up aromatic vegetables: large unpeeled yellow onions, root ends removed, leeks, carrots, celery, unpeeled garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
• A few sprigs parsley
• Generous pinch crumbled dried thyme (optional)

From the produce section (assorted vegetables):

• 2 large bunches carrots (or 2 bags)
• 6 large yellow onions
• 4 large leeks
• 1 large head celery
• 1 head garlic
• 1 bunch parsley

From the meat department:

• 1 large stewing hen (with neck and gizzard)
• 6 to 8 pounds of bony chicken parts (wings, wing tips, necks, backs and feet)

From the spice section:

• Whole black peppercorns
• Dried thyme (optional)
• Salt (kosherb

Watch the Video.

2 Comments »

1. [...] to crispness in the oven and/or blipping its way to succulence on the stove–Yes, I make stock, fresh breads, duck confit, stews and homemade pasta–even during the dog-days of summer! [...]

   Pingback by Apples in Autumn. « Lauren Groveman: Strengthening Lives through Cooking and Life Coaching — September 28, 2011 @ 12:59 pm

2. Can you can this in mason jars as well??

   Comment by Jenny — March 24, 2012 @ 6:25 pm

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