Beef Stock

Traditional homemade beef broth.

4 lbs meaty beef soup bones (beef shanks or short ribs)
3 medium carrots, cut into chunks
3 ribs celery, cut into chunks
2 medium onions, quartered
½ cup warm water
3 bay leaves
3 cloves garlic
8-10 whole peppercorns
3-4 sprigs fresh parsley
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried marjoram
1 tsp. dried oregano
3 quarts cold water

Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C/210°C fan, Gas Mark 8).

Place soup bones in a large roasting pan. Bake, uncovered for 30 minutes.

Add the carrots, celery and onions. Bake 30 minutes longer; drain fat.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer bones and vegetables to a large Dutch oven. Add warm water to the roasting pan; stir to loosen browned bits from pan.

Transfer pan juices to kettle. Add seasonings and enough cold water just to cover. Slowly bring to a boil, about 30 minutes. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 4-5 hours, skimming the surface as foam rises. If necessary, add hot water during the first 2 hours to keep ingredients covered.

Remove beef bones and set aside until cool enough to handle. If desired, remove meat from bones; discard bones and save meat for another use. Strain broth through a cheesecloth-lined colander, discarding vegetables and seasonings. If using immediately, skim fat or refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight; remove fat from surface.

Broth can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for 4-6 months.

Makes about 2½ quarts.