Vegetable Stock

Ingredients

• 2 tomatoes
• 1 onion, peeled
• 1 leek, trimmed and washed
• 2 shallots, peeled
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled
• 2 celery ribs, washed
• 1 carrot, trimmed and peeled
• 6 corn cobs, without kernels (optional)
• 1 parsnip, trimmed and scrubbed (optional)
• 1 fennel bulb (optional)
• 1 gallon water
• 1 small bunch parsley
• 1 small bunch fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 whole cloves
• 2 tablespoons cracked black pepper
• 2 tablespoons salt, or to taste