Herb Stock Recipes

HERB STOCK

Steps:

• Combine 6 cups water with a small handful of rosemary, thyme or sage sprigs, a large handful of parsley sprigs, a few bay leaves, 1 or 2 crushed garlic cloves and a pinch of black peppercorns.
• Bring barely to a simmer, then turn off the heat; steep a few minutes, and strain.

BEST-EVER CHICKEN STOCK RECIPE

Steps:

• Place a 6- to 8-quart pot with a tight-fitting lid on the stovetop. I use a 6-quart pot for a 4- or 5-pound chicken.
• Remove the paper pouch that contains the organs if it's still in the chicken. Use in another recipe or discard.
• Add all ingredients to the pot. Clean the veggies but it's ok to leave the skin on the onion and carrots. Cover with filtered cold water to about an inch below the top.
• Put a tight-fitting lid on the pot.
• Set it on the stove and bring it to a boil. This takes about 10-20 minutes.
• Immediately reduce to a simmer. Simmer for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours. The longer the simmer, the better the flavor.
• If you use a whole chicken, remove the meat from the chicken after 2 hours to prevent overcooking it. (See the sections above for my method to remove the meat).
• Keep the pot covered to prevent your stock from evaporating. If you notice the liquid reducing too much, you can add a few cups of water at any time during the process.
• After simmering for at least 4 hours in total, strain your stock through a fine-mesh sieve, strainer, or cheesecloth into a large bowl, pot, or a large stockpot. Simmer up to 24 hours for more flavor before straining.
• Discard everything that was in the pot except the liquid you just strained. The veggies, for example, are beyond saving, but they served a very good purpose.

CHICKEN STOCK

Steps:

• Place chicken, vegetables, and 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 degrees. 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.

HOMEMADE CHICKEN BROTH

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a soup kettle or Dutch oven. Slowly bring to a boil; reduce heat until mixture is just at a simmer. Simmer, uncovered, for 3-4 hours, skimming foam as necessary. , Set chicken aside until cool enough to handle. Remove meat from bones. Discard bones; save meat for another use. Strain broth, discarding vegetables and seasonings. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Skim fat from surface.

EASY HERB RICE

Steps:

• Mix water, beef bouillon, onion, thyme, marjoram, and rosemary together in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Add rice, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until water is absorbed and rice is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

HERB BROTH

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Strain before using.

SEA SCALLOPS IN HERB BROTH

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups parsley, 1 cup watercress, shallots, 1 1/2 cups water, and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain; reserve liquid. Set aside.
• Season scallops on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 1/2 teaspoon oil and 1/2 teaspoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook half the scallops until golden brown, 5 minutes. Turn, and cook for 3 more minutes. Keep warm; repeat process.
• Return broth to a boil. In a blender, combine remaining parsley and watercress with hot broth. Cover blender with a towel to absorb any splashes, hold top firmly in place, and puree. Strain, and adjust seasonings. Pour broth into serving dish; place scallops on top.

PARMIGIANO AND HERB-FORTIFIED STOCK

Steps:

• Place the cheese rind, herb bundle, onion, celery, carrots, lemon rind, bay leaves, chicken stock, and water into a pot and bring to a bubble, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer at least 1 hour, and then remove the rind, herb bundle, and vegetables with a slotted spoon or strainer.
• Heat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• For the Roasted Tomatoes:
• Arrange the tomatoes on a baking sheet or baking sheets in a single layer. Scatter the garlic among the tomatoes, dress with extra-virgin olive oil to coat and season with salt and pepper. Roast the tomatoes until they burst and skins split and begin to char, about 30 minutes. Cool the tomatoes until cool enough to handle and peel. Place the tomatoes in a bowl.

VEGETABLE AND HERB BROTH

Steps:

• Combine water, leeks, celery, carrots, mushrooms, garlic, thyme, parsley, bay leaf, peppercorns and salt in a large pot.
• Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 1.5 hours.
• Strain broth through a fine sieve, pressing down on the solids to extract liquid and flavor.

HALIBUT AND COCKLES IN HERB BROTH

Steps:

• Cover mushrooms with boiling water. Let stand until softened, about 3 minutes. Drain, and finely chop; set aside.
• Put 1/4 cup of each of the herbs into a food processor; set aside. Stir together remaining 3 tablespoons of each of the herbs, the mushrooms, oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Bring stock to a boil in a medium pot. Reduce heat to medium-low; add cockles. Cover; cook until cockles open, about 2 minutes. Discard any that do not open. Using a slotted spoon, transfer cockles to a bowl, and cover. (Keep heat on).
• Season both sides of fish with salt and pepper. Add to stock. Cover; cook, carefully turning once, until center is opaque, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Using a slotted spatula, transfer fish to a plate, and cover.
• Bring stock to a boil. Pour half the stock into food processor with herbs; puree (be very careful with hot liquid). Add to remaining stock; pour through a fine sieve into a medium bowl, pressing on herbs; discard herbs. Divide fish and cockles among bowls. Ladle broth into bowls; top fish with reserved herb mixture.

GARLIC BROTH

Steps:

• Slice 1 head of garlic in half crosswise; set aside. Separate cloves from remaining head, peel, and crush lightly. Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large saucepan over medium. Add crushed garlic cloves and cook, tossing occasionally, until golden brown and softened, 8-10 minutes. Add 2 quarts water, increase heat to high, and bring mixture to a boil. Add herbs and reserved halved head of garlic. Reduce heat so broth is at an active simmer and cook until garlic is very tender and broth is reduced by nearly half, 30-40 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Strain broth through a mesh sieve into a large bowl (or, pass a wide slotted spoon through it a few times to fish out garlic and herbs).
• Divide broth among bowls. Sip it as is, or you can add cooked noodles, drizzle in some whisked eggs to make stracciatella, or rub toast with raw garlic and drizzle with oil and float on top.
• Do Ahead
• Broth can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.

VEGETABLE-HERB BROTH

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in medium saucepan. Bring mixture to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until liquid is reduced to 2 cups, about 30 minutes. Strain broth; discard all solids. (Broth can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover broth tightly and refrigerate.)