Homemade Chicken or Vegetable Broth
★Ingredients
1 whole chicken or 2 lbs of chicken bones (optional for vegetable broth)
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 onion, quartered
3 garlic cloves (optional)
2-3 sprigs of fresh parsley
1-2 bay leaves
8-10 cups of water
Salt and pepper to taste
★Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Place the chicken (if using), vegetables, and herbs in a large stockpot.
- Add Water: Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients, about 8-10 cups.
- Simmer: Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the top during the first 30 minutes.
- Cook: Cover and let it simmer for 2-4 hours. For a richer flavor, you can let it simmer longer.
- Strain: Remove the pot from the heat and strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into another container, discarding the solids.
- Season: Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Cool: Allow the broth to cool completely before storing it in the refrigerator or freezer.
Use this broth as a base for soups, stews, or sauces!