Unlock the secret to vibrant, homemade flavors with our TM Vegetable Stock Concentrate! This versatile stock is the perfect foundation for soups, stews, and sauces, elevating your dishes to a whole new level of deliciousness. With just a handful of fresh ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a rich, aromatic stock that will make your meals sing. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this recipe is your ticket to culinary success. Ready to transform your cooking game? Let’s dive into the recipe!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 1 hrs
Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: Global
Serves: 16 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups chopped vegetables (carrots, celery, onion)
- 1 cup herbs (parsley, thyme)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash all vegetables: carrots, celery, and onions. Peel and chop them into rough, uniform pieces approximately 1/2 inch in size to ensure even cooking and flavor extraction.
- Peel and mince the garlic cloves finely to release their aromatic oils and enhance the stock's depth of flavor.
- In a large, heavy-bottomed stockpot, combine the chopped vegetables, minced garlic, fresh herbs (parsley and thyme), and water.
- Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low, creating a slow simmer.
- Allow the stock to simmer uncovered for approximately 1 hour, occasionally skimming off any foam that forms on the surface to maintain clarity.
- Stir the stock periodically and ensure vegetables remain submerged, adding a small amount of additional water if needed to maintain liquid level.
- Taste and season with salt during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking, adjusting to your preferred flavor intensity.
- Remove from heat and let the stock cool slightly. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, pressing on the vegetables to extract maximum flavor.
- Transfer the strained stock concentrate to clean, sterilized glass containers for storage. Refrigerate and use within 5-7 days, or freeze in portion-sized containers for longer preservation.
Tips
- Choose Fresh Ingredients: The quality of your vegetables and herbs will directly impact the flavor of your stock. Opt for fresh, organic produce whenever possible for the best results.
- Cut Uniformly: Chop your vegetables into similar sizes (about 1/2 inch) to ensure they cook evenly and release their flavors into the stock effectively.
- Don't Rush the Simmer: Allow the stock to simmer gently for a full hour. This slow cooking process is crucial for extracting the maximum flavor from the ingredients.
- Skim the Foam: As your stock simmers, you may notice foam forming on the surface. Skimming this off will help maintain a clear and visually appealing stock.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste your stock towards the end of cooking and adjust the salt to suit your preference. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it out!
- Storage Tips: Store your stock in sterilized glass containers in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze in ice cube trays for easy portioning in the future.
- Get Creative: Feel free to experiment with different vegetables and herbs based on what you have on hand. This recipe is highly adaptable, allowing you to customize it to your taste!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 10kcal
Carbohydrates: 2g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
