I have come across so many recipes that demand the use of chicken stock, but I have always wondered how to make and store stock at home, until I came across something the other day while going through my aunt's cook book.

So here it is for you to read.

Why Stock

Chicken stock can add flavours and texture and richness to the dishes that you make, and while you can purchase some good ones in the shops, nothing can beat the stock stored at home. While they are being made at home, you can control the level of saltness and the color of the stock, so here is how you can make and store stock.

How to Make Stock

The whole process of making stock at home starts with roasting a whole chicken. This way you can reuse the chicken, after the stock base has been separated. To roast the chicken, make a mix of herbs, thyme, oregano, salt, lemon, basil, garlic, orange zest, olive oil and the likes. Rub all this under the chicken skin and stuff it with cut onions, lemon and orange. Roast this for 25 minutes at 180 degrees and later cool it and cut reuse the meat in salads or elsewhere.

Now comes thew actual process of making stock and at home. The remains of the chicken has to be put into a pot with some water and bay leaves have to be added on to it along with garlic, fresh herbs, lemon and orange. Now to make and stock the soup, you can also add a little salt and pepper, which can later be adjusted according to taste. Now all this has to be boiled and reduced in quantity, until the stock thickens and is a golden brown.

How to Store Stock

Once this is cool, strain it and cool it in the fridge till the fat accumulates on the top. Scoop this out and once again strain it. Now you have learnt the art of making stock at home, and you can easily make and store stock in this simple manner.

Just remember that you have to store it in an air tight zip lock bag, that can be closed well and it is best to make and store stock in the fridge, because then it will last longer. When this freezes up you can stack them one on top of the other. If you plan to use stock in cooking one day, just take the out until it defrosts. Make soups, rice dishes and curries using stock and enjoy a great meal with the stock that is homemade. It is after all very simple to make and store stock at home.

Image Credit: mysecretdriftlife15.blogspot.com