Basic Fish Stock Recipes

HOMEMADE FISH STOCK

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the chopped vegetables and cook, stirring often, until they are all soft, but not browned. This should take about 10 minutes or so.
• Add the white wine and all the remaining ingredients, plus enough water to cover everything by about an inch or two. Bring to a simmer, then drop the heat to a bare shimmy, about 175°F if you want to be precise. It should not boil under any circumstances, and keep an eye on things to ensure that it doesn't. Simmer like this for 45 minutes to 1 hour, no more.
• Turn the heat as low as it will go. Set a fine mesh strainer over a big bowl, then put a piece of paper towel or cheesecloth in the strainer. Ladle the stock through this set-up into the bowl. When you get to the bottom, skip the dregs down there, as they will be filled with sediment. The stock will never be as good as it is right now, but it can be refrigerated for up to a week and frozen for up to 6 months.

HOMEMADE FISH STOCK

Steps:

• Wash fish in cold water and drain well.
• Melt butter in a pan over low heat. Add leeks, carrot, and celery; cook until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add fish parts, wine, and water and bring to a boil, about 5 minutes. Skim and discard residue. Add bouquet garni, peppercorns, and lemon; return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes; skim and discard residue frequently.
• Strain stock into a bowl through a colander lined with cheesecloth. Allow to cool before storing in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

HOMEMADE FISH STOCK

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Make a sachet d'epices by tying the thyme, peppercorns, clove, parsley sprigs, and bay leaf into a piece of cheesecloth . Set aside.
• In a heavy-bottomed stock pot or soup pot, heat the butter over medium heat.
• Lower the heat, add the celery, carrot, and onion and warm very gently, with the lid on, for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is softened and slightly translucent but not brown.
• Add the fish bones, cover the mixture with a piece of parchment paper, and re-cover the pot, letting the bones warm gently until they are slightly opaque.
• Remove the lid and the parchment; add the wine and turn up the heat until the stock starts to simmer .
• Add the sachet and the water, heat to a simmer, and let cook for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Strain (you can remove fish bones first if that makes it easier), cool, and refrigerate.

BASIC FISH STOCK

Steps:

• Put all ingredients in a large stockpot over medium heat.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat, partially cover, and simmer for 2 hours.
• Strain.
• Refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.
• I like to freeze in ice cube trays, then place in a ziplock freezer bag (doubled, to prevent any possible freezer burn).

FISH STOCK

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large saucepan, add the onion and cook for 3 mins. Tip in the fish heads and bones and cook, stirring occasionally for a further 4 mins. Pour in the wine and 1 litre of cold water. Drop in the herbs and a pinch of salt. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, then cook for 20 mins, skimming when needed. Pass through a sieve and use for your intended recipe. Will keep in the fridge for a week and for three months in the freezer.