Monday, May 26, 2008

Frugal Broth


I have flipped into a whole other dimension of frugality.
I hate paying for broth.
It's a real money waster - really it's like paying for flavored water - but then some would say I don't have time to make my own.
I got curious about broth a while back & finding inexpensive solutions. The cheapest is the creamy paste base stuff you find at the local store...or you can try your own hand at some goodness.
Recently, the hubby & I have embarked on a new eating adventure that requires a lot more fresh veggies (that's our choice in it, you can cook them). I was watching Martha the other day & she was talking about how her chickens just love the leftover veggies & she cooks them down for her chickies. Then it hit me - veggie broth!!!
I collected a days worth of cut ends or nearly dead fresh veggies & threw them in the crock. The first time I did it on the stove & got some lightly colored golden broth. BUT the crock got more from the veggies. It's a nice dark gold like you buy from the store. I threw them in the crock w/ a bunch of salt & cooked on low for 8 hours.
I have never felt so frugal in all my life. I can't wait to try this next time I need broth for a recipe & I grab my tasty veggie broth that is full of flavors - can't you see all that fresh celery? Don't you love the taste & savor of celery in your dishes? Me too - can't wait it will be tasty!
Do your grandma's proud & get your frugal on!
**from tina

2 comments:

CW Steen said...

Hey hey! I do the same thing for chicken broth. Buy bone-in breasts for stir-fries and whatever, save the bones and skin until you have 2.5 pounds. Throw it in the crock pot with 12 cups of water and cook all day or all night on low. Pull out the yuck and Viola! Yummy broth. Freeze some, use some. It works.

CW Steen said...

Oh yeah. Save the skin and bones in the freezer or else.