Chicken Soup Bones

Chicken broth from backs is a fantastic way to extract rich flavor. Here's a simple recipe for a delicious chicken broth using chicken backs:

Ingredients:

2-3 pounds of chicken backs

2 onions, peeled and halved

3 carrots, roughly chopped

3 celery stalks, roughly chopped

4 cloves of garlic, smashed

1 teaspoon whole peppercorns

2 bay leaves

A handful of parsley stems

12 cups of water (or enough to cover the ingredients)

Salt to taste

Instructions:

Prepare the chicken backs: Rinse the chicken backs under cold water to remove any impurities. If desired, you can briefly blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes and then rinse again.

Prep the vegetables: Chop the onions, carrots, and celery. Smash the garlic cloves to release their flavors.

Combine ingredients: In a large stockpot or a slow cooker, place the chicken backs, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, peppercorns, bay leaves, and parsley stems.

Add water: Pour enough water into the pot to cover all the ingredients. Remember, the more water you use, the more diluted the broth will be.

Simmer: Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface.

Slow cook (optional): Alternatively, you can cook the broth in a slow cooker on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. This method allows for a longer, slower extraction of flavors.

Strain the broth: After simmering, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool slightly. Use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain the broth into a clean container, discarding the solids.

Season: Taste the broth and season with salt as needed. Be cautious and add salt gradually to achieve the desired taste.

Storage: Once cooled, you can store the broth in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. For longer storage, freeze it in portions for easy use later.

This homemade chicken broth will serve as a flavorful base for soups, stews, sauces, or any other recipe that calls for chicken stock. Adjust the seasoning and vegetables to your taste preferences, and enjoy the rich, comforting flavor of homemade broth!