Noodle Soup Broth
- 2 pounds chicken backs, necks, or other bony chicken parts
- 3 pounds pork neck, spine, and/or leg bones, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 4 quarts water
- 1 large yellow onion, quartered
- Chubby 3-inch piece fresh ginger, unpeeled and smashed with the broad side of a cleaver or chefs knife
- 1-inch chunk yellow rock sugar (about 1 ounce)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
- Remove and discard any loose pieces of fat from the chicken parts.
- Wielding a heavy cleaver designed for chopping bones, whack the bones to break them partway or all the way through, making the cuts at 1- to 2-inch intervals, depending on the size of the part.
- This exposes the marrow, which enriches the broth.
- Put the chicken, pork bones, and water in a stockpot (about 12-quart capacity) and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and then use a ladle or large, shallow spoon to skim off any scum that rises to the top.
- Add the onion, ginger, rock sugar, and salt.
- Simmer gently, uncovered, for 2 hours.
- Turn off the heat and let the broth sit undisturbed for 30 minutes to allow the impurities to settle and congeal.
- Position a fine-mesh sieve (or a coarse-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth) over a pot and gently ladle the broth into the sieve.
- Discard the solids.
- Use a ladle to skim as much fat from the top of the broth as you like.
- (To make this task easier, you can cool the broth, refrigerate overnight, and then lift off the solidified fat.)
- The broth is ready to use.
- Or, store it in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
chicken backs, pork neck, water, yellow onion, fresh ginger, sugar, salt
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/noodle-soup-broth-382932 (may not work)