BASIC CHICKEN STOCK

Steps:

• Place all ingredients except water, parsley, dill and salt in a kettle. Add water (it should cover the ingredients) and bring to a boil. Boil for five minutes.
• Lower heat to a simmer and during the next five to 10 minutes carefully skim the top of the soup. When the soup seems to be simmering without additional scum collecting on top, add the parsley, dill and season with salt. Allow the soup to simmer for about two hours, adding a little additional water if necessary to keep the ingredients covered.
• Remove chicken, vegetables and herbs and strain soup through a strainer lined with a linen napkin or several thicknesses of cheesecloth.
• Return soup to a clean pot, return to a simmer and taste carefully for seasoning, adding additional salt if necessary. If the soup is too weak, continue simmering it to concentrate it until the desired intensity of flavor is reached. Chicken soup will keep in the refrigerator up to five days or it may be frozen.