Monday, January 04, 2010

Chicken broth: worth its weight in gold

I bought four cans of Swanson chicken broth yesterday because I had totally used up my supply of broth in the deep freeze. Once they were in my cart, I left them there; but I also decided I'd better buy a ten-pound bag of chicken leg quarters and build up my freezer supply. I'd have the canned stuff to use in an emergency, of course. But it's such a poor product, compared to home-made... and much too salty.
I put the ten pounds of chicken in the biggest pot I own; my St. Louis sister-in-law gave it to me years ago, and I wouldn't part with it for any amount of money. I got it simmering, then we went to eat tacos with the next-door sister-in-law; when I came back home, the chicken was done.
I put it on the back porch (it's unheated) to get it cool enough to handle. Then I spent some time de-boning, dicing, and bagging up the meat.

It's somewhat disappointing how little chicken I get from that five-dollar, ten-pound bag, by the time I throw away the bones and skin. About twelve cups total, I think.

chicken fat. Yuck.
I let the broth sit on the back porch overnight so the fat would rise to the top and solidify so I could remove it. My mother is turning over in her grave right now, because she considered the fat the best part. Sorry, Mother. Cliff and I don't need it. Maybe the birds would like it?
(There are those pesky underlines again; ignore them, please. Or click on them if you like, and you'll see the same picture as above.)


I set the pan in the sink, because I'm sloppy and I knew there would be some spills. I wrote amounts on freezer bags; no need to write that it's chicken broth, because that's obvious. No need to date it, because it will be gone within a month anyhow.

This stuff is like pure gold to me. It gives me a wonderful feeling of security. Often if a recipe calls for four cups, I get a two-cup bag out of the freezer and add an equal amount of water. I'm sure it's still better than the canned product, even diluted.

I saved a quart back, because I intend to make squash soup later today.

Sadie got something out of this effort, too:


And what was my husband doing while I did all this?

Blading snow in single-digit temperatures with our brother-in-law's tractor that we're babysitting. Cliff says it's the best tractor for this job.

13 comments:

  1. That was good of you to give Sadie a few bites. Dogs love to lick that paper plate, I see she does as these two do and puts a foot in the plate to hold it in place. I think dogs are smart to do that. Poor Cliff working in the cold. No worse that you taking walks in the cold though. Helen

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  2. i commented on sadies video on fb. i agree that can stuff is good in a pinch, but no were equal (or as good for you) as the real thing!
    have a good week, & stay warm!!!

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  3. When I boil chicken for broth, I save the skin and put it in the oven to crisp it up. The dogs love it as a treat...

    I agree with you, though....once I boil up the whole bag of chicken and shred it, I think "That's it?"

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  4. Sorry, but I'm having trouble telling from the last picture...is he blading...the sidewalk? In front of the house? With that giant beast of a tractor? LOL

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  5. He's blading the yard. Why? Because he can.

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  7. needed LOL I can't type.

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  8. LOL@my daddy, blading the yard.

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  9. Do you think that the world knows how to boil chicken and pick the meat; then freeze it for later use? I come from a mother who did this and so do I. Even if I have but just a little bit, I'll use an old fashion ice cube tray. I think people basically "heat and eat" nowadays. Anne

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  10. MMMMM...you've got me thinking about "chicken stuff" now! I have some frozen squash in the freezer that I put up this summer. Would you share your soup recipe? I've never frozen squash before but we had such a bumper crop that I had no choice. Will it still be good to use in soup or will it be too mushy? Do you have any other ideas for me for all that frozen squash?

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  11. Lindie8:46 AM

    Guess I need to go to the store and buy some chicken! I use so much of the chicken broth/stock that it's all gone! I've been using canned but just realized there is too much msg in it.

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  12. Eler Beth and I love it when you show us videos of Sadie! How do you make your squash soup? I have so much butternut squash in the freezer. We have made over a dozen pies in the past two weeks (gave away a lot), and I'd like to try my hand at some home made soup.

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  13. You make me realize I need a freezer.

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