to think making stock by boiling a chicken carcass with onion, carrot, bayleaf, whatever, is a pointless waste of time?

[Mintyy]

I did it once a couple of years ago and vowed never again.

Honestly, a Knorr chicken stock cube does the job better, cheaper and quicker. With no washing up.

I made stock today in the slow cooker, then made risotto from the stock, then gave the dog the leftover chicken.

Everyone happy.

I made a strong stock not long ago with chicken and beef bones, celery,onions, garlic, whole black peppers and a glug of vinegar (essential to draw out all the "goodness"") and boiled the crap out of it for hours.
made chicken soup from the strained juice the next day - DH said it was the best soup i ever made.the children agreed.

i vote making stock every time, but in reality i have to be organised to do it, which is why it is too much effort nowadays

bigtilly

after cooking strain the stock and cool it, then put it in the fridge.
the fat on top becomes solid and you can scoop it off (and post it to Biwi )
then you'll have beautiful non-greasy stock.
oh I'm so hungry now

I never throw away a chicken carcass without making stock. Far to much taste there to tip away. I freeze it then it gets used for soups.

I loved making stock on the rare occasions we had a chicken, but now we don't buy it any more so I don't. If you like making stock, you'll make it. If you don't then don't sweat it. Why do we all get so passionate about it?

I don't know- I never give it much thought. It takes only seconds to chuck everything into a pot- you don't even need to peel the veg. Simmer on a very low heat, leave to cool.

It takes seconds of effort.

My recipe for Indonesian chicken soup (soto ayam).
Stock
Bits of meat you have leftover
2 cloves garlic , crushed
1tsp ground coriander
1tsp turmeric
Handful of Beansprouts
big splash of lemon juice
Lemongrass if you have it (just bash it with a rolling pin before throwing it into the pot).

Add salt to taste. Serve over cooked and cooled noodles or (more authentically) pour over a bowl of rice. Sprinkling with some fried onions is also v. Indonesian.