Rich Roasted Chicken Stock

Jxenja's Note:

This method takes a very long time, but is SO worth it! The flavor is unbelievable and will improve any soup that calls for a chicken base. It's drawn from Recipezaar recipes #118258 and #191401, and my own alterations. Extremely tasty made with turkey as well.

• Total Time: 4 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 pot

• 4 lbs raw chicken , pieces with bones (backs, wings and necks are great)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large vidalia onions or 2 large walla walla onions or 2 large maui onions , quartered, skin left on
• 2 carrots , cut in half
• 2 celery ribs , cut in half
• 1 head garlic , cloves separated (skin okay)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon peppercorn
• ¼ cup parsley stems
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme
• salt & pepper

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Rinse the chicken in cold water.
3. Cut the chicken into small pieces at the joints and if you have a strong cleaver, in the middle of thigh and leg bones to release the marrow.
4. Toss the chicken pieces in the olive oil with the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic and season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Roast until everything is a rich golden brown, 30-40 minutes.
6. Transfer the bones and veggies to a tall stockpot, cover with cold water, add the rest of the ingredients.
7. Cover, and bring to a boil over full heat.
8. Reduce heat, simmer, removing excess fat or scum that floats to the top.
9. Depending on how rich you want the stock and how much time you have, simmer for 4 to 18 hours, skimming when necessary. You can add water as it reduces to extract more goodness from the chicken and veggies.
10. Do not allow it to boil, or the stock will be cloudy.
11. Remove from heat, cool at room temperature.
12. Strain through cheesecloth into a large bowl or other pot.
13. Refrigerate until the fat rises to the top and the stock congeals. Remove the fat from the top.
14. Heat again until it liquefies, transfer to freezer containers. Ice cube trays work great to save stock to add stock in small quantities to gravies and the like. Keeps in freezer for 3-6 months.