Homemade just tastes better

As I peruse the aisles at my local grocery stores, I tend to notice that every container of broth says, "sodium free," or "fat-free" but honestly, all I see are labels that say, "flavor free," and that isn't very appealing to me. I've been saving chicken skins and bones, bits and parts for a while and after we nearly cleaned the carcass of a roasted chicken I made at home last week, I figured I had enough to make my broth. I stuff the carcass in the fridge for a later date, when I would have more time to slow cook.

Wednesday was that day. While working at home, I took a break and went hunting for a snack in the fridge. I found said bag-o-carcass and thought, "there's no time like the present!" I got out my big, red enameled cast iron pot, put in a gallon of clean water, stuffed in my carcass and other parts-n-stuff I'd been saving, cut up an onion, couple of carrots, a few stalks of celery, some leftover cabbage, salt, pepper - and let it come to a boil. I was afraid I'd put in too much stuff as my pot was filled within 1/2 inch to the top, so I turned it low and went back to work.

An hour later I checked it, everything looked lovely and my broth was starting to take color. Another hour and another peek; I turned up the heat just a tad and added some more salt. Back to work. Another hour went by and I did a taste test. Needed more salt... then more salt (I'm cautious about the salt so it takes a few tastes) and then I looked in my herb pantry. Hey! There's some dried oregano from my herb garden - toss that in, can't do any harm. Toss in my homemade garlic powder - another taste... brilliant! I let the flavors meld for another 30 minutes and turned the pot off. I allowed it an hour to cool, then got out my fine strainer and strained it clean. It was delicious! I considered canning it, then figured I'd want to use it soon so I popped it in the fridge. Sometime this weekend we'll have homemade chicken soup and with this broth full of salt, some fat, and tons of flavor, it'll be fabulous!