RSteve
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2008
- Messages
- 2,482
- Reaction score
- 511
I always keep a supply of home made chicken stock in my freezer. I often buy chicken thighs, on sale, and they usually have a lot of excess skin, etc. I trim the thighs and retain most of what folks, with good sense, would throw away. I freeze the remnants until I have a few pounds. I defrost them, put them in my 18 quart Nesco roaster, then add onions, carrots, celery, garlic and mixed pickling spices. I cover with enough water to cover everything. Last night everything went into the roaster along with all the raw trimmings from the turkey I cut up before Thanksgiving. It all slow cooked for about 14 hours. Some would say the house smells wonderful. I think it's kind of stinky.
Earlier today, I fished most of the solids out of the roaster, then ran the remainder through a double layer of mesh strainers. After that straining, I strained the stock through four layers of cheese cloth. Then I washed out the roaster, added the strained stock, and tasted for the first time. Gradually, tasting after each addition, I added salt. It's all now in jars in the freezer. Learning from past experience, I leave room for expansion in every jar.
I should add that I use the trimmed thighs as one would prepare chicken wings, spicy with a commercial General Tsao's wing sauce added as a final glaze. For 89 cents lb. it's an enjoyable protein.
Earlier today, I fished most of the solids out of the roaster, then ran the remainder through a double layer of mesh strainers. After that straining, I strained the stock through four layers of cheese cloth. Then I washed out the roaster, added the strained stock, and tasted for the first time. Gradually, tasting after each addition, I added salt. It's all now in jars in the freezer. Learning from past experience, I leave room for expansion in every jar.
I should add that I use the trimmed thighs as one would prepare chicken wings, spicy with a commercial General Tsao's wing sauce added as a final glaze. For 89 cents lb. it's an enjoyable protein.