Best Chicken Stock For Consomme Recipes

CHICKEN CONSOMME: BASIC CLARIFICATION

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor, combine the ground meat with the onions, leeks, celery, carrots, thyme, tarragon, parsley, garlic, and black pepper. Puree on high speed.
• In a bowl, combine the egg whites with the pureed meat mixture. Stir well to blend.
• Place the stock in a large pot and add the "raft" (the pureed meat-egg white mixture). Bring to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent the raft from sticking to the bottom and sides of the pot. (Once the stock has come to a boil, do not stir again.) Reduce to a simmer and puncture a hole in the center of the raft for the stock to circulate through and clarify. Simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat. Gently poke a hole in the raft large enough to fit a ladle. With a ladle, gently scoop out the consomme into a clean pot or bowl. Strain through a layer of cheesecloth to finish clarifying.
• Serve hot with desired garnish. Alternatively, transfer consomme to a shallow bowl or roasting pan and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, covering with plastic wrap only when the consomme is cool enough that no condensation forms on the plastic. When the consomme is completely cooled, cut it into 1/2-inch cubes and divide between consomme cups. Garnish with sour cream, chopped chives, and a lemon slice and serve with toast points.

CHICKEN STOCK FOR CONSOMME

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, combine all ingredients. Add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, for 3 hours.
• Prepare an ice bath. Strain stock through a fine sieve into a large bowl set in the ice bath. Let stand, stirring occasionally, until room temperature. Transfer to airtight containers. Will keep, refrigerated, for up to 3 days, frozen, for up to 3 months.

CHICKEN CONSOMME WITH SNIPPED HERBS

Steps:

• Put the stock in a large saucepan.
• Stir together the leek, carrot, and parsley in bowl of a food processor. Add the ground chicken, egg whites, and 2 tablespoons water. Pulse to mix well. Stir this mixture into the stock in a saucepot.
• Bring the stock very slowly to the boil, stirring constantly. The egg mixture will congeal and form a "raft" on the top of the stock, collecting all the impurities from the stock. As soon as it begins to boil, stop stirring and turn the heat down to low. A hole will have formed on the top of the "raft". Make it slightly larger with a spoon, and then simmer the stock very gently for 45 minutes. Remove the saucepot from the heat and let stand 5 minutes.
• Line a sieve with a double layer of cheesecloth. Using a skimmer, lift off as much egg white from the top of the consomme as you can, and discard. Ladle the consomme into the lined strainer and let it drip through in its own good time. Don't be tempted to press it or you'll make it cloudy.
• When it has all dripped through, season and taste the consomme. Season the consomme with salt, if needed. Serve hot or cold with the garnish of your choice.

CLASSIC CHICKEN CONSOMMé

Steps:

• Simmer at a gentle boil for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. If the water starts to boil away, add more because the ingredients must be covered in water.
• Taste the stock after the allotted cooking time. It should have a good flavor of chicken and a background hint of the vegetables and herbs. If not, cook a while longer.
• Return the clear liquid to the pan and reheat to hot but not boiling. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. This soup is best served warm to hot (not boiling) as it intensifies the flavor. Cold consommés are not as tasty.