....to gather up the bones?

[marvik]

Spin-off from another thread.

I buy whole free range chickens which I either roast and carve - or joint for casseroles. When the meal is over I've always gathered up the bones from people's plates to add to the carcass which is then boiled up for stock. The stock is used for soup or risotto.

Was baffled to learn - on another thread - that many people feel this is 'rank', 'disgusting' etc.

I think it's about good cooking and good household economy.

(In the old days the cat used to get the left over boiled chicken from the stock pot too..)

Your thoughts please?

I do exactly that, but only from mine and DP's plate, and I wouldn't serve the stock to anyone else. DP will nibble round bones, I won't, but I reckon I've had whatever germs are in his mouth anyway. I put them all into a bag in the freezer, then every few months I'll make a huge pot of stock with whatever else is lying around. Once it's simmered I boil it down and pour it into muffin trays. One 'muffin' is just about perfect for gravy for a Sunday roast.

Please, about the wine? Are you siphoning any leftover wine from someone’s cup back into the bottle or freezing to throw into sauce?

"pasbeaucoupdegendarme

@StealthPolarBear, equally I don’t think anyone has said they’re using veg that has been “chewed and rejected”. That implies it’s been masticated and spat out, which would indeed be disgusting."
Yes that's a fair point. My issue is that once you serve food to someone you can't control what they do to it and you don't know what bugs their throats and hands are hoarding. Maybe manageable in your own home, but some have said this practice goes on in restaurants.

I use the chicken bones from plates for stock. It's all getting boiled anyway so any germs would be killed.

I only do it if it's just been my own family that's been eating though. I'd feel a little queasy about it if it's from a visitors plate.

Yes to making chicken stock but No to using the bones from people's plates. That's minging. Unless you can be sure that their hygiene is good, they haven't put bones to their mouth and used cutlery. Though tbh I don't know many any people who use a knife and fork to eat a chicken drumstick.
Those who say that it's a waste of time and doesn't taste of anything..you are doing it wrong.
It doesn't take much energy to make if you make it overnight/all day in a slow cooker