Lunch: Roast Beef Stock

Recipe by Claire Saffitz Homemade beef stock is richer and more flavorful than store-bought, adding lip-smacking depth to your soups, sauces, and braises. Freeze it by the quart and put it to work all winter long.

Ingredients

5 pounds veal or beef marrow bones
4 peeled carrots
4 celery stalks
2 halved peeled onions
1 halved head of garlic
1/2 bunch flat-leaf parsley stems
4 thyme sprigs
2 bay leaves
1/4 teaspoons black peppercorns

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450 °F. Roast 5 pounds veal or beef marrow bones (have your butcher saw them into pieces) in a roasting pan, turning occasionally, until browned, 25 –30 minutes. Cut 4 peeled carrots and 4 celery stalks into 3" pieces; add to pan along with 2 halved peeled onions and 1 halved head of garlic. Roast, turning occasionally, until vegetables are brown, 25 –30 minutes.
Transfer to a large stockpot; add cold water to cover. Pour off fat from pan, add 1/2 cup water, and stir, scraping up browned bits; add liquid to pot along with 1/2 bunch flat-leaf parsley stems, 4 thyme sprigs, 2 bay leaves, and 1/4 teaspoons black peppercorns. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 4 hours, occasionally skimming foam and fat from surface and adding water as needed. Strain.
DO AHEAD: Stock can be made 2 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill, or freeze up to 3 months.

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