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Make Your Own Vegetable Stock

partysugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:00:02 -0700

While many soup recipes incorporate vegetarian-friendly ingredients like vegetables, cream, or cheese, the majority call for chicken broth, making them inedible to someone who doesn't consume meat. This problem is easily remedied with one simple component: vegetable stock. Made from vegetables that are roasted and then simmered in water, veggie stock is flavorful and rich.

While you could purchase a boxed variation from the grocery store, it's far more rewarding to make your own batch. Along with mushrooms, carrots, shallots, garlic, and red peppers, this recipe uses a cup of canned tomatoes, which provide depth, a mild sweetness, and an earthy color. If you have some time to experiment with homemade vegetable stock, get the recipe and read more.

Vegetable Stock
From Gourmet

This recipe would also be an excellent base to gravy.

Ingredients

1/2 lb portabella mushrooms, caps and stems cut into 1-inch pieces
1 lb shallots, left unpeeled, quartered
1 lb carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 red bell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
6 fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs (including stems)
5 fresh thyme sprigs
4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup dry white wine
2 bay leaves (not California)
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
2 qt water

Directions

Preheat oven to 425°F.
Toss together mushrooms, shallots, carrots, bell peppers, parsley and thyme sprigs, garlic, and oil in a large flameproof roasting pan. Roast in middle of oven, turning occasionally, until vegetables are golden, 30 to 40 minutes.
Transfer vegetables with slotted spoon to a tall narrow 6-quart stockpot.
Set roasting pan across 2 burners, then add wine and deglaze pan by boiling over moderate heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, 2 minutes. Transfer to stockpot and add bay leaves, tomatoes, and water.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 45 minutes. Pour through a large fine sieve into a large bowl, pressing on and discarding solids, then season with salt and pepper. Skim off fat.

Makes about 2 quarts.

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Make Your Own Chicken Stock

YumSugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:15:45 -0800

After making a scrumptious roast chicken, I decided to make my own chicken stock to not waste the carcass. I've purchased plenty of store-bought chicken broth and in a pinch it works perfectly. However, it doesn't compare to the homemade variation, which has a rich, strong chicken flavor and insanely delicious smell.

While the entire process is long, it requires little attention - only a quick skim and water check, periodically. This recipe makes about 16 cups of chicken stock. Since I can't imagine using it all at once, and want to have it on hand when I need it, I cooled the liquid and froze it in individual bags. To get started on your own homemade chicken stock, read more.

Homemade Chicken Stock
Alton Brown

Ingredients

4 pounds chicken carcasses, including necks and backs
1 large onion, quartered
4 carrots, peeled and cut in 1/2
4 ribs celery, cut in 1/2
1 leek, white part only, cut in 1/2 lengthwise
10 sprigs fresh thyme
10 sprigs fresh parsley with stems
2 bay leaves
8 to 10 peppercorns
2 whole cloves garlic, peeled
2 gallons cold water

Directions

Place chicken, vegetables, herbs, and spices in 12-quart stockpot. Set opened steamer basket directly on ingredients in pot and pour over water.
Cook on high heat until you begin to see bubbles break through the surface of the liquid. Turn heat down to medium low so that stock maintains low, gentle simmer. Skim the scum from the stock with a spoon or fine mesh strainer every 10 to 15 minutes for the first hour of cooking and twice each hour for the next 2 hours. Add hot water as needed to keep bones and vegetables submerged. Simmer uncovered for 6 to 8 hours.
Strain stock through a fine mesh strainer into another large stockpot or heatproof container discarding the solids. Cool immediately in large cooler of ice or a sink full of ice water to below 40°F. Place in refrigerator overnight. Remove solidified fat from surface of liquid and store in container with lid in refrigerator for 2 to 3 days or in freezer for up to 3 months. Prior to use, bring to boil for 2 minutes. Use as a base for soups and sauces.

Makes about 16 cups.

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Do You Make Your Own Stock?

partysugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:15:37 -0800

Definition: Stock vs. Broth

YumSugar — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 10:31:10 -0800

Stock: A strained liquid that results from simmering meats, fish, herbs, and vegetables in water. It is usually made by browning bones, vegetables and other ingredients before they're cooked in the liquid for hours. Used as a basis for soups or sauces.

Broth: A flavorful, aromatic liquid made by simmering water or stock with meat or vegetables.

Generally speaking, stock has a heartier, richer flavor. This is mostly due to the bones used (broth is made with meat only and no bones). In most recipes the two can be interchanged with similar results. Fine chefs might tell you different, but for regular home cooking, the dish will be fine. However, note that broth may end up saltier than stock, so you may need to adjust your recipe accordingly.

10 Geeky and Fun Stocking Stuffers

GeekSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:10:24 -0800

If you've got some room on your holiday shopping list, throw some stocking stuffers in the mix. Small (and inexpensive) gifts are great for co-workers, pals, and geeky kids and act as the icing on the already awesome holiday cake. Check out some of my picks in this slideshow.

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Get Awesome Images For Your Blogs From Stock.xchng

GeekSugar — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:32:36 -0800

If you have a blog (and who doesn't these days) then you should definitely check out stock.xchng, a free stock photo site that lets you download amazing creative images from over 30,000 photographers. If you're on OnSugar, you can of course use free Getty Images in your blog, but if you aren't (or can't find what you're looking for) then stock.xchng is where it's at.

Of course, there are terms to agree by - like you have to properly source, and ask for permission if prompted to - but it's really easy to find what you're looking for. Plus, stock.xchng hosts some pretty informative blogs that will teach you the finer art of Photoshop. Maybe someday people will be using your photos on their blogs!

Nice and New: John Robshaw Christmas Stocking

CasaSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:30:54 -0800

Not to be a brat or anything, but my family has been using the same gigantic Christmas stockings for more than 20 years, always filled to the brim with lots of goodies. So, at 12" x 21", the John Robshaw Block Printed Holly Stockings ($70 each) won't do for me, but they're certainly stylish enough to hang on the mantel simply as décor in my home. Available with a mistletoe, candy cane, or peppermint pattern, they're quite festive and would also make a wonderful gift for anyone you know who's building up their collection of holiday décor. What do you think?

Fit Tip: Stock Up on Your Fave Sneaks

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:00:26 -0700

Finding the perfect exercise shoe is a tough challenge. Even though there are a couple brands I've had luck with, I always end up spending at least an hour trying on every type of sneaker made by every brand in the store, just to make sure I've found the best fit. Sometimes I even end up having to go to more than one store! Who has time for that every time you have to buy new sneaks, which for me is about every three months?

So I've started stocking up on a pair I really love. I'll buy sneakers I think are perfect, try it out for a couple of weeks, and if my feet are still happy, I go back to the store and buy one or two more pairs of the exact same sneaker. That way a new pair I know I already love is waiting for me when it's time to ditch my old pair. If you don't like buying the same pair because they look the same, companies usually make the same sneaker in a couple different colors. If you can't find them at the store, order them online, which can save you dough and a trip to the store. You can also create a sale alert notice for the shoes on ShopStyle. You might have to wait a while, but you'll save some dough too.

Simple Tip: Save Shrimp Shells to Make Stock

partysugar — Mon, 18 May 2009 10:15:35 -0700

While I love to buy deveined and shelled shrimp from my fishmonger, it's more affordable to buy the shrimp with the shell still intact. Thus, I normally remove the shells myself. Then to get more bang for my buck, I use them to make fish stock.

It's very simple: Instead of discarding the carcasses, toss in a large pot with water, herbs, and aromatic vegetables. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, skimming off the foam when necessary. Drain and pour the stock into containers for storing. The next time you want to make clam chowder or lobster bisque, you won't need to purchase fish stock! Do you save the shells of seafood to make stock?

Ho Ho Ho! Healthy Stocking Stuffers

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:00:13 -0800

Since the holidays are a time for giving, why not give something healthy to your friends and family? Seriously, health is the gift that keeps on giving. Here are 14 great ideas for stocking stuffers that encourage a healthy lifestyle.

A BPA-free water bottle from Sigg, Nalgene, or Klean Kanteen.
A collapsible travel hula hoop.
A year's subscription to Women's Health, Cooking Light, or other healthy magazine. Just slip the gift card in the stocking.
Larabars or other energy bars.

To check out my other stocking stuffer ideas, read more.

Wicking socks from Darn Tough for runners, hikers, skiers, and riders.
Gift cards to gear shops or health-food stores.
A handful of Emergen-C packets.
A lightweight merino wool or Capilene shirt for cold weather.
A session with a personal trainer, private chef, or dietitian.
Winter running gloves.
Homemade trail mix with cashews, almonds, dried blueberries, and dried mangoes.
Fitness DVDs or a copy of your favorite workout mix.
Resistance bands or Thera-bands.
A one-month pass to a gym or studio.

For more stocking stuffer ideas, check out all of our gift guides.