Homemade stock is cheaper and tastier than ready-made cubes. After chilling and removing the fat, you can boil the stock until it is reduced and concentrated in flavour, then cool and freeze it in icetrays. The frozen cube stocks can then be packed in a freezer bag and used individually - add them frozen to hot liquids in soups, stews and casseroles and they will melt almost instantly.
Makes about 1.5 litres
Preparation time 10 min
Cooking time 1 hour
1 chicken or the bones from
4 chicken pieces (or fresh chicken wings, browned first)
1 onion, roughly chopped
1 large carrot, roughly chopped
1 celery stalk, roughly chopped
1 large bay leaf
6 black peppercorns
2 litres water
1. Break up the chicken carcass or bones and put into a large saucepan or stockpot. Add the vegetables, bay leaf and peppercorns. Pour over the water.
2. Bring to the boil over a high heat, then turn the heat down so the liquid is simmering gently. Cover the pan and leave to bubble for 1 hour.
3. Strain the stock through a sieve into a bowl, discarding the bones and vegetable. Skim any fat from the surface with a spoon, if using the stock straightaway. Alternatively, chill the stock first, which will make it easier to remove the fat.
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