Receta Weekend Cooking - Homemade Chicken Stock
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, homemade chicken stock is a must for my stuffing and gravy. It's easy to make on a day when you're around the house; you throw the ingredients in a big stockpot and just let them simmer away for four hours.
- 2 (3-4 lbs.) roasting chickens
- 2 large yellow onions, unpeeled and quartered
- 6 carrots, unpeeled and halved
- 4 celery stalks with leaves, cut in thirds
- 3 parsnips, unpeeled and cut in half
- 20 fresh parsley sprigs
- 15 thyme sprigs
- 1 head garlic, unpeeled and cut in half crosswise
- 2 Tbsp. kosher salt
- 2 tsp. whole black peppercorns
Place the chickens, onions, carrots, celery, parsnips, parsley, thyme, garlic, salt, and peppercorns in a 16 to 20-quart stockpot (I used my canning pot).
Add 7 quarts of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Skim any foam that comes to the surface. Lower the heat and simmer, uncovered for 4 hours.
You can see how rich this stock is!
Strain the entire contents of the pot through a colander, discarding the solids. I can't see getting rid of all those veggies in this stock. Maybe some chicken and dumplings are in order? Or a Chicken Pot Pie? Pack in quart containers and refrigerate. When stock is cold, remove surface fat and refrigerate or freeze.
Containers of chicken stock will last for 5 days refrigerated and for 6 months in the freezer.
Freezing Tip: Freeze some in 1 cup containers for quick meals or in ice cube trays to add to sauces.
Turkey Tip: Check out the recipe for Roasted Turkey Stock. Make it ahead for your Thanksgiving recipes!
We never have enough gravy for leftovers, so I'll make this a few days ahead.