Every Good Cook'S Vegetable Stock
A flavorful vegetable stock brimming with aromatic vegetables and herbs, perfect for enhancing soups, stews, and sauces with depth and natural sweetness. Suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. safflower oil ⓘ
- 1 small onion, coarsely chopped ⓘ
- 1 large leek, washed and cut into large rings ⓘ
- 1 medium carrot, washed and cut into large rings ⓘ
- 1/4 large bulb fennel, coarsely chopped
- 1 large rib celery, coarsely chopped, with some leaves ⓘ
- 1 small tomato, coarsely chopped ⓘ
- 1/8 very small head cabbage, coarsely chopped ⓘ
- 10 c. water ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- salt to taste ⓘ
Instructions
- Place oil in a deep pot.
- Add the onion, leek, carrot, and fennel to the pot.
- Toss the vegetables to coat with oil and cover tightly.
- Cook over very low heat for about 5 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Add the celery, tomato, and cabbage to the pot; toss again.
- Cover tightly and continue to cook over very low heat for an additional 10 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally.
- Pour in water and add the bay leaf.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, barely simmering, for 30 minutes, skimming as necessary.
- Line a strainer with a double thickness of damp cheesecloth and strain the stock into a bowl or container.
- Allow the stock to cool completely, then refrigerate or freeze for storage.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding herbs like thyme or parsley during the simmering process. If you don't have safflower oil, olive oil is a great substitute. Feel free to experiment with other vegetables such as mushrooms or garlic, which can enhance the stock's depth. Remember to cut the vegetables into uniform sizes for even cooking.
Serving Suggestions
This vegetable stock serves as an excellent base for soups, stews, and sauces. It pairs beautifully with dishes like risotto or can be used to cook grains for added flavor. Consider using it in recipes like Green Tomato Relish(Sandwich Spread) for a deliciously enhanced taste.
Storage & Reheating
Let the vegetable stock cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. It can be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for up to three months. When reheating, gently warm the stock on the stove, adding a splash of water if it seems too concentrated.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Every Good Cook'S Vegetable Stock contains roughly 2097 calories, with 44g protein, 429g carbohydrates, and 39g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (452% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value), and iron (172% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2081mg per serving (90% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different vegetables in this stock?
Absolutely! This recipe is versatile, so feel free to substitute or add any vegetables you have on hand, such as mushrooms, garlic, or even sweet potatoes. Just keep in mind that stronger flavored vegetables might alter the stock's taste.
How can I enhance the flavor of the stock?
To deepen the flavor of your stock, consider adding fresh herbs like thyme or bay leaves. Roasting the vegetables before adding them to the pot can also bring out their natural sweetness and create a richer stock.
Is it necessary to strain the stock?
Yes, straining the stock is important to remove the vegetable solids, resulting in a clear and smooth liquid. Using a double thickness of damp cheesecloth will help achieve this without any bits floating in your final stock.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).