{Recipe} Homemade Chicken Stock

Mom's Turkey Soup

I grew up eating homemade stock only in the winter and during Thanksgiving/Christmas season.  Every year, my Mom would make a turkey and create the most lovely turkey stock which was turned into turkey soup.  For her, this included the "innards", bones, meat still on the carcass, celery, carrots, salt, pepper, and LOVE.

The smell of the turkey stock cooking would permeate the house while cooking for at least a whole day.

She would then strain the broth, then pick the turkey from the bones (not a funtastic task at all!).  The Broth and meat was then portioned together and frozen for use throughout the winter.  YUM.

I have longed to do the same at my own home, and I have tried to do this for over a year without getting that perfect stocky flavor using chicken.

Mistakes I made:
*using onion (end result was onion soup)
*using carrots (bitter tasting)
*using too many spices (not good tasting)
*not cooking it long enough (not a good chickeny stocky flavor)

This week my house finally smelled similar to my Mom's house the day after Thanksgiving when the turkey stock was cooking all day.  Hooray!

Here's what I did...

First, I cooked a small whole chicken in the crockpot.  I seasoned it with garlic salt, pepper, and paprika.

Then, I picked the chicken.  You know, taking the meat off the bones after it is finished cooking.  I really dislike this part...but it is worth it!  Since I want to make soup from this, I left a good amount of meat on the bones to cook with the stock (mainly the dark meat, which is awesome for soup!).

Next, I put all the trimmings back into the crockpot.  This included everything...bones, meat, skin.  I filled the crockpot with cold, filtered water and let it sit for 30 minutes before starting it up on low.

I didn't add any veggies or any extras this time.  I figured I could season it later if it was a little bland.  And, oh am I so glad I didn't season it!  It smells amazing, and I finally achieved that sort of golden color with stock!  Yay!

Then, I cooked the heck out of it!

 I let the first batch cook for at least 12 hours on low in the crockpot.  I actually cooked two whole chickens this time and put all the trimmings together in the crockpot.  I got 3 batches of stock out of this which yielded about 3 gallons.

When it has the color taste you are looking for, strain the trimmings from the stock using a mesh strainer.  I put the stock in gallon sized canning jars.  Let it sit on the counter to cool before putting in the fridge.

2nd batch of broth, a little lighter than the first but still pretty!

After it has cooled in the fridge for a while, the fat will harden and rise to the top.  Skim this part off before storing or using.  Although, I might keep the fat separately this time and use it in other cooking...we'll see...

And the trimmings?  Well, my least favorite part is picking the trimmings.  My Mom always had 3 bowls for sorting:  one with the trimmings, one to keep, one to pitch.  This can be super tedious, but so worth it in the end!

Portion, freeze, and soup's on!

Container Gardening {a series} : Starting Seeds Outside

We've discussed getting started with container gardening and starting seeds inside.  What about those cool weather crops that you can sow directly outside?  You know, peas, spinach, carrots, etc...

1.  Make a plan.  Research and make sure you know when you are supposed to be planting seeds outside.  Reference the seed package and the Almanac website, which I referenced in previous posts.  How many seeds are you going to put per container?  Is each container big enough for the seeds you are planting?  I have found, for instance, my tomatoes do so much better with larger pots, one plant per container.

2.  Prepare your soil.  For me, I have pots left over from last year.  Most of them are still full of soil, and some are still full of dead plant parts.  I made sure I till and mix the soil completely in each pot, often removing any large leaves or plant parts.  This year, I mixed in some Cotton Burr compost for extra nutrients.  Maybe you are filling new pots.  Make sure you have chosen good potting soil and fill your pots.  A little compost on top can also be helpful.

3.  Plant your seeds.  When your soil is ready, gather your seeds.  Follow the directions on the seed package for soil depth and how far apart to plant seeds.  I know it is hard for me to sometimes only put one seed or plant per pot, but it is worth it.  When the plants have more space, they will produce better.

4.  Water your planted seeds.  Make sure to give your seeds a good drink to help them settle in their new home.

5.  Label and watch them grow!  I am (for the first time) labeling all my pots with what is growing in them.  I have several different varieties of peppers and tomatoes, and I need to know if I am picking a green pepper or a chocolate pepper.

What are you planting for cool weather crops this year?  I already have snow peas (above), carrots, spinach, clover, wildflowers, and broccoli growing outside.

100 Days of Eating at Home Challenge - Update!

Today is day 82 of the 100 Days of Eating at Home Challenge!  How are you doing?  I have found that making my meal plans more realistic assists with sticking to my meal plan most days.  I still have problems with planning ahead and taking food with me to work or if I'm going to be away from home, but I'm still improving.

I think the best news is that I am currently 31.6 pounds lighter than I was in July 2011!!  I'm still loosing slow and steady, which I am excited about.  Now, I have the "problem" of finding pants that fit me correctly.  I honestly do not have one pair of jeans that I have worn in the past couple of weeks that I thought were actually comfortable and fitting me correctly.  SAD.

I think the worst news is that I still drink commercial HFCS soda everyday.  Addicted?  Absolutely.  It seems to be less, but I guess I should be proud of myself for the times I choose water over the pepsi.  Baby steps...

Other changes:  With the rapidly increasing food prices in the country right now, I increased my food budget to $200 a month instead of $150.  I think that is more realistic, especially when I'm buying milk and eggs from a farm and possibly my chicken (saving my pennies for a spring chicken order!).

I'd love to hear how you are doing with eating at home.  18 days to go!  Will you make it?

Meal Planning: Week of 1-28-2012

Day 2 - Eating at Home Challenge

I'm off work again today, so eating at home should be a breeze, right?  Maybe, maybe not.  I have this urge to run out and get a soda, which is a whole other topic revolving around a sugar addiction.

Breakfast was a success, and I stuck to the meal plan!  Amazing, I know.  I ate 2 pastured eggs with cheese and orange juice.  I even took my vitamins.

Did you know that I visited a new farm this weekend?  The farm I used to buy pork, beef, chicken, milk, cheese and eggs from recently closed to the public.  Since then, I've been researching places to buy from locally.  The farm that seemed the most similar is a bit of a hike.

Yet, the drive was pretty easy.  And, if you know me, you know I love a great drive through the country.  While at the farm, I picked up some eggs, real milk, and raw milk grass-fed cheddar cheese.  But, I think I was the most excited to pet the calves!  I really miss my grandparent's farm that I frequented growing up.

I'm hoping this milk lives up to my expectations.  I always get a little bit nervous getting food items from a new farm.  But, I should trust the reviews and information I have researched.  Off to have a glass of milk!

Day 1 - Eating at Home Challenge

 

New Year's Day 2012 is the day I chose to begin my 100 days of eating at home challenge!  I spent the night on New Year's Eve at my parent's house, and I consider eating at home to include my parent's house.  Plus, free food for me!

Did I eat real food at my parent's house?  Uh, no.  But, I woke up having some bread and butter and cinnamon rolls.  I came home and took a nap and accidentally skipped lunch completely.  That's pretty frugal!  I looked in my fridge for dinner, and I found half a jar of tomato sauce and decided I better use it up before it went bad.  I cooked up some bow tie pasta along with the tomato sauce and cheese for a very frugal, left-over using dinner.

This was not what I meal planned for today, but I still ate at home!  At this point, I see this as success.

What did you eat at home today?  Did you stick to your meal plan?

100 Days of Eating at Home Challenge

 

As a single woman living alone, I find that it is really easy to fall into the habit of eating out - frequently.  I have fallen into this bad habit, and it's time to change this.  I think part of it was a time management issue with being a full time graduate student for the past three years, but since graduation I've had more time to be domestic.

Maybe it's because I need to consider my budget more closely.  Maybe it's because my fridge-freezer AND my deep freezer are stuffed so full I cannot get anything else in there (I'll have to take a picture...).  But I need to eat what is in the house and not run out to get something at my first inkling of a hungry rumbly tummy.

Here are the RULES:

1.  Every meal should be based on making it in my house.  I know I won't always be "eating" at home (hello, work), but the food should come from my own kitchen and not Fazoli's.

2.  I will be allowed to purchase beverages when out.  Let's face it, I like to drive through McDonald's to get an unsweetened ice tea.  Beverages outside the home are legal in order for me to keep my sanity.

3.  If someone invites me to a meal out, that is legal if I can afford it.  If I am not paying for the food, then I think that's okay. 

4.  I am going to start out with a $150 per month food budget.  This is harsh!  However, I need to use the meat, veggies, and stuff in my freezer.  If I eat down some of the stash at my home, I should be okay.

5.  I will need to meal plan and try to stick to it.  The sticking-to-it is the hard part.  I can meal plan until the cows come home, but actually eating what it says to eat is and inner struggle.

6.  Buying seeds and trying my hand at my container garden again this year will not be part of the food budget.

7.  For the most part, I will attempt to continue adding in "real food" for my ongoing transition to real food.  This is going to be difficult on the budget, but hopefully I will still be able to afford milk and eggs from the farm.

How often do you eat at home?  Is it a challenge to resist eating out?