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Stocks

Many of the recipes in this book require stocks and nothing can compare to a homemade broth of boiled bones, vegetables and herbs. Stocks can be made in advance, stored in small containers and kept in the freezer for handy access. The recipes here are just a guideline but try not to add too much of any one vegetable or the flavour may dominate the stock. Livers are unwelcome as they will make the stock bitter, but necks, hearts and wing tips are perfect. Also avoid starchy vegetables, such as potatoes or parsnips, as they will turn the stock cloudy. Don’t use salt when making a stock as if you eventually reduce it, the salt will remain and the liquid could be too salty. If you wish to concentrate the flavour, place the stock on a high heat and boil, uncovered, to reduce the liquid. To make your own frozen stock cubes, reduce the liquid to about a quarter of its original volume. Allow to cool and then pour into ice cube trays and freeze. Stocks can be refrigerated for three days or frozen for two months.

Vegetable stock

MAKES ABOUT 2 LITRES (3½ PINTS)

2 onions, peeled and roughly chopped

2 leeks, trimmed and roughly chopped

3 sticks of celery, trimmed and roughly chopped

3 carrots, peeled and roughly chopped

½ fennel bulb, roughly chopped

Bunch of parsley stalks

1 small sprig of rosemary

1 sprig of thyme

1 Place all the ingredients into a large saucepan or casserole dish. Add enough cold water to cover the ingredients by about 10cm (4in) and bring to a simmer.

2 Let the stock continue to simmer for an hour, then strain the liquid and discard the vegetables.

Beef stock

MAKES 3–4 LITRES (5–6¾ PINTS)

2kg (4lb 4oz) beef bones, preferably with a little meat still on

2 onions, peeled and cut in half

2 carrots, peeled and cut in half

2 sticks of celery, trimmed and roughly chopped

Bunch of parsley stalks

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 sprig of thyme

1 bay leaf

1 Preheat the oven to 230°C (450°F), Gas mark 8. Place the bones on a roasting tray and roast in the oven for about 30 minutes until browned.

2 Transfer them to a large saucepan and deglaze the roasting tray by placing it on a medium heat on the hob. Pour a little cold water into the tray (enough to cover the bottom) and bring to the boil, scraping the bottom with a whisk to dissolve the caramelised juices that are stuck to the tray. Then pour on top of the bones in the saucepan with the rest of the ingredients. Top up with enough cold water to cover everything by a good 10cm (4in) and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and bring the stock to a simmer.

3 Leave the saucepan to simmer gently for 5–6 hours, skimming the foam off the top from time to time.

4 Strain the stock, discarding the bones and vegetables. Allow to cool so the fat will rise to the top where it is easy to skim off.

Chicken stock

MAKES 1–2 LITRES (1¾–3½ PINTS)

1 chicken carcass, cooked or raw

1–2 carrots, peeled and roughly chopped

1 onion or 4 spring onions, peeled and cut in half

1 leek or even just the green part, trimmed and roughly chopped

1 sticks of celery, trimmed and roughly chopped

Bunch of parsley stalks

1 sprig of thyme

1 small bay leaf

1 Place all the ingredients in a large saucepan or casserole dish. Add enough cold water to cover everything by about 8cm (3in) and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and bring the stock to a gentle simmer and then leave for about 2 hours. For the best flavour, skim the foam off the surface from time to time, though it’s not completely necessary.

2 Strain the stock so you are left with just liquid and discard the vegetables and carcasses. Chill, then lift the fat off the top and discard.