Stocks

Name: Stocks
Ingredients: 3 lb. meaty beef bones, fat trimmed (soup bones or oxtails are the most desirable); 2 carrots, coarsely chopped; 3 lb. meaty veal, lamb, or pork bones, depending on which you are making, fat trimmed; 3-4 lb. chicken pieces, no liver, or a whole chicken; 2 cups (at least; the more the better) picked or peeled shells of crab, shrimp, or crawfish, depending on which you are making; Peel of 1/2 lemon; 1 lb. or more of bones, heads, and scraps from edible fish, gills and livers removed; 1 tsp. dried oregano; 1 large onion, coarsely chopped; Top 4 inches from a bunch of celery, coarsely chopped; Stems from a bunch of parsley; 2 bay leaves; 1 tsp. black peppercorns; 1 tsp. dried thyme

14 ingredients

35 steps

Ingredients

3 lb. meaty beef bones, fat trimmed (soup bones or oxtails are the most desirable)
2 carrots, coarsely chopped
3 lb. meaty veal, lamb, or pork bones, depending on which you are making, fat trimmed
3-4 lb. chicken pieces, no liver, or a whole chicken
2 cups (at least; the more the better) picked or peeled shells of crab, shrimp, or crawfish, depending on which you are making
Peel of 1/2 lemon
1 lb. or more of bones, heads, and scraps from edible fish, gills and livers removed
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
Top 4 inches from a bunch of celery, coarsely chopped
Stems from a bunch of parsley
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. black peppercorns
1 tsp. dried thyme

Directions

1

FOR THE BEEF, VEAL, LAMB, OR PORK STOCK: Heat a heavy kettle or stockpot over medium heat.
2

Add the meat and bones of whichever meat you are using and cook until well browned all over, turning them now and then.
3

(For the beef stock, add the carrots after the meat begins to brown.)
4

Then add 2 gallons of water to the pot, plus all of the stock seasonings.
5

Bring to a light boil, then lower to a bare simmer.
6

Cook for 2-3 hours.
7

Then go to Finish, below.
8

FOR THE CHICKEN STOCK: Pour 2 gallons of water into a heavy kettle or stockpot.
9

Add the chicken and the stock seasonings.
10

Bring to a light boil, then lower to a bare simmer.
11

Cook for 2 hours.
12

Then go to Finish, below.
13

FOR THE CRAB, SHRIMP, OR CRAWFISH STOCK: Crush the crab claws and/or crawfish shells with a pounder to break open.
14

Combine claws and/or shells in a heavy kettle or stockpot with the stock seasonings and enough water to cover.
15

Bring to a light boil, lower to a bare simmer, and cook for 30 minutes.
16

Then go to Finish, below.
17

FOR THE FISH STOCK: Put fish bones and scraps into a pot and nearly cover with cold water.
18

Heat until water begins to steam, then pour off water.
19

Refill pot with enough water to cover and add the oregano and stock seasonings.
20

Bring to a light boil, then lower to a bare simmer.
21

Cook for 45 minutes.
22

Then go to Finish, below.
23

FOR A VEGETABLE STOCK: Combine stock seasonings with 1 gallon of water.
24

Bring to a boil then lower to a bare simmer.
25

Cook for 30 minutes.
26

Then go to Finish, below.
27

FINISH FOR ALL STOCKS:
28

As the pot boils, skim any foam that rises to the top.
29

For meat and chicken stocks, also skim off any fat.
30

Cook for the noted time, then strain stock through the finest sieve or cheesecloth.
31

Dispose of solids (except for the chicken or meats, which can be picked from the bones for use in other recipes).
32

Stocks can be further reduced and intensified by continuing to simmer after the solids have been removed.
33

Let stock cool to lukewarm, then refrigerate if not using right away.
34

For beef and chicken stocks, the fat will rise and solidify upon chilling and can be easily removed.
35

All except vegetable stocks may become gelatinous in the refrigerator; this is not a problem.