Beef Stock RecipeA good beef stock recipe will give you the basis of a wonderful soup or casserole. It can also be used to deglaze your pan and for delicious sauces to accompany your meal. Although the recipe gives the amount of meat to use, this can be varied according to what you have available. If you store small pieces in your freezer, you will soon have a larger amount to use for your stock. Any pieces will be useful for a beef stock together with some beef bones. Ingredients • 8 lbs raw beef meat or beef bones. Half and half is a good balance. The shin of beef is a good economical cut but use whatever you have. Any trimmings from previous beef cuts can be used along with the bones. • 2 large unpeeled onions • 2 medium carrots, cleaned and cut in large pieces • 2 leeks cut in large pieces • 1 large stick celery cut in large pieces • 1 or 2 parsnips cut in large pieces • 2 – 4 garlic cloves • 1 large bouquet garni • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns. • DO NOT PUT ANY SALT IN YOUR STOCK (This will be added when you are making your soup or sauce with the stock later)
• Bring to the boil. • As the liquid heats a foam will develop. Skim this off with a large ladle. This will take a few minutes. • Add the vegetables and herbs. • Reduce the heat until just simmering and continue to simmer for about 4 hours. (Do not cover the pan as this will cause the liquid to sour) • Continue to top up the stock with boiling water during the cooking. • Leave the stock to cool and skim off the fat. (I prefer to leave it overnight as it is easier to take the fat off when it has solidified.) • The stock is now ready to be strained. The bones can be removed by hand if large and all the other contents passed through a fine sieve . • The stock is now ready to use but a good idea is to taste it and if a more concentrated flavour is needed, heat again until it is reduced and is the flavour you prefer. • If it is not to be used now, the stock can be put in smaller batches in the freezer until reqired. This is a great beef stock recipe to keep in your kitchen for your home made soup recipes, stews and casseroles. Happy cooking. Enjoy!
|