January 19, 2010

Second Attempt in Vegetable Stock Quest

Author: madzak

Hello foodies,

So this quest is really turning out well as the second attempt has made drastic strides in flavor! I knew the frozen ingredients and dried herbs would affect the quality and flavor but this is tasted like 500% better! Yes no kidding! I’ve been making a nice risotto with the stocks as a kind of measure given those nice little rice grains soak up all that stocky goodness. Although i should probably start a risotto quest as well, my so-so risotto sky rocketed in likability. Here are the ingredients and reflections from this attempt. Oh and I followed the same “tips” as last time.

Ingredients:

  • carrots (without skin)
  • onions
  • 1 bunch celery stalk
  • 1 head garlic
  • 2 corn cobs
  • 1/2 pack white mushrooms
  • fresh basil
  • fresh thyme
  • fresh oregano
  • fresh tarragon
  • salt

Reflections:

I didn’t realize it but I actually put in less of the items from last time, so I guess I made 2 differences with this batch. Regardless the freshness was the KEY in terms of flavor of the stock. I have also been stressing the limits of the 4 days in the fridge rule for “fresh” I’m finding in my fridge it’ll last about 5 to 6. I don’t recommend this to everyone so in just reheat the stock on the 4th day to get 3 more days out of it and accomplish a nice make 1 day use all week base! Next attempt will be to add the same original ingredients and also see if I can’t strain it in some cheesecloth/coffee filters.

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One Response to “Second Attempt in Vegetable Stock Quest”

  1. John Bauer Says:

    In my experience, be careful with adding too much tarragon otherwise it overpowers everything else.


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