Meat stock

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You can make stock with just chicken or mixed meats so pick pieces of meat from the list of ingredients below accordingly. Chicken stock is very soothing, especially if you have a sensitive stomach.

Meat stock is also the place to start if you suffer from bloating. Although bone broth is often advocated, it is actually high in fermentable sugars which can contribute to abdominal distention and discomfort.

Ingredients:

  • 4 litres of water

  • 1 chicken carcass

  • 1 large chicken leg or 2-3 drum sticks or a couple of wings and a drum stick - whatever is at hand

  • 3 chicken feet if available (you can buy more and freeze them)

  • Piece of beef short ribs

  • Turkey wing

  • 1 onion, halved

  • 1 leek, white part only

  • 3 medium carrots, quartered

  • 3 celery sticks, halved

  • 2 table spoons of salt

  • 10-20 peppercorns

    You can also use leftover bones from roast chicken, grilled drum sticks, wings, etc.

Directions:

  1. Place meat in water, add salt and bring to boil. Reduce temperature to low

  2. With a spoon or small sieve, remove impurities that will raise to the top (white foam and darker bits)

  3. Add vegetables and cook on low heat for 2 hours. Every now and then, add a bit of water, to end up with the initial amount of liquid. You can also use a slow or pressure cooker l but I find that pressure cooking does not produce good enough umami ;)

Ways to use stock:

  • eat the stock right away, with the vegetables and meat

  • strain into jars and keep in the fridge to use as a base of your meals (great in soups, curries, ramen style dishes)

  • enjoy as a comforting drink, alone or with meals - it greatly improves digestion. I love a cup of meat stock with seaweed flakes or miso paste