Homemade Chicken Stock in Crock Pot
**The picture shows the amount of broth from just one batch of this recipe!
Ever wonder why chicken noodle soup (or any broth soup) became the go-to meal for someone who was sick? Well, back in the old days, it actually worked. REAL bone broth has many immunity-boosting qualities, minerals, vitamins, etc. Now, it's just habit, although our condensed version doesn't really do much besides adds unneccessary and unnatural additives (MSG) and flavorings. Why not eat some that actually tastes better AND helps you recover?
Bone broth used to be a dietary staple, and the elimination of these foods from our modern diet is largely to blame for our increasingly poor health. I have actually started drinking straight bone broth (heated on a stove) with a little sea salt for those days when a runny nose is driving me insane. Yes, it sounds gross, but trust me. It's so good. (Chad even tried it, and really like it!) I LOVE it. It's smells SO good, and is very warming and soothing.
?? Did you know that bone broth...
-Helps heal and seal your gut, and promotes healthy digestion
-Reduces joint pain and inflammation
-Fights inflammation -Glycine also has calming effects, which may help you sleep better
-Promotes strong, healthy bones
-Contains high amounts of calcium, magnesium, and other nutrients that play an important role in healthy bone formation
-Promotes healthy hair and nail growth, thanks to the gelatin in the broth
-BOOSTS IMMUNE SYSTEM - the most important, in my opinion. I gave some to Elle when she fought the stomach bug a few weeks back. She woke up in the middle of the night getting sick, got sick pretty much one time on the hour, had a low fever (didn't go above 100 degrees), and was done by 2pm that day. I heard about a lot of kids being out for 5+ days. Granted, we also pumped her with Zija Supermix, but natural things work together stronger!
Remember: being healthy and having a strong immune system doesn't mean you'll never get sick. They will absolutely lessen the chances of catching something, and make your recovery time quicker.
Also, don't be afraid of the 'gelatin' that forms on top. It's supposed to do that. It contains a lot of vitamins/minerals and is how you know it's the real deal!
Overnight Chicken Stock in the Crock Pot
INGREDIENTS
Leftover chicken bones or carcass roughly equivalent to one small or medium sized chicken
1 onion, peeled and loosely chopped
1 rib of celery, roughly chopped
1 carrot, roughly chopped (no need to peel)
1 bay leaf
1 sprig fresh parsley
1 sprig fresh thyme
Salt, to taste
Note: If you are missing any of these ingredients I wouldn't let that stop you from making it anyway. As I'm typing this, I'm missing thyme, but I'm making it tonight anyway!
INSTRUCTIONS
After removing all edible meat from the chicken put/leave the bones, skin, cooking juices, etc. in the crock pot. If you are using the chicken carcass from the “Whole Chicken in Crock Pot” recipe just leave every single thing that's leftover (pick off all of the good meat) in the crock pot including the original onion and spices you used when making the chicken.
Add the onion, celery, carrot and spices on top of the bones and fill the crock pot almost to the top with tap water (leaving about ½” at the top).
Turn the slow cooker onto "low" after dinner and cook all night long or alternatively you could start it in the morning and cook on "low" for 8 – 10 hours during the day.
After the stock is done cooking turn off the heat and, using a soup ladle, pass the stock through a fine sieve to remove all herbs/bones/etc.
Either refrigerate or freeze the stock for future use. Enjoy!
