Chicken Stock (Caldo de pollo)
To deepen the flavor of caldo de pollo (but without turning it into something more like the European stocks), I like to use still another variant of my favorite enriching technique (see below, Caldo de pollo casero). In recipes calling simply for “chicken stock” you can use any good chicken stock or broth that you have on hand. When caldo de pollo and caldo de pollo casero are called for, please use these particular stocks.
Ingredients
- 1 chicken (3½ pounds) or 3 pounds chicken wings and backs
- 1 medium-size white onion unpeeled
- 3 cloves garlic unpeeled
- 1 carrot scrubbed but unpeeled
- 1 celery stalk or leafy tops of 3 celery stalks
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- The chicken can be left whole or cut up into 6 to 8 pieces.
- Combine all the ingredients in a medium-large pot or Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat at once to low. Simmer, partly covered, until the meat is barely tender, about 30 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the stock. Strain through a fine sieve and skim the fat, discarding the solids in the sieve.
Notes
Yield: 8 to 9 cups
Can be stored, tightly covered, 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator, or indefinitely in the freezer.
Homestyle chicken stock (Caldo de pollo casero) In medium-size sauté pan or skillet, heat 2 tablespoons lard or vegetable oil over medium-high heat until not quite smoking. Add 1 cup coarsely chopped white onion (1 medium-size onion) and 1 minced medium-size garlic clove. Cook, stirring, until the onion begins to color, about 2 minutes. Add 1 chopped medium-size ripe, red tomato, and cook 3 minutes. Have 8 cups caldo de pollo (recipe above) just at the boiling point in a deep pan. Add the onion mixture to the boiling stock, turn the heat to low, and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Strain through a sieve and discard the solids. Yield: 8 to 9 cups
Nutrition
Calories: 217kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 18gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 73mgPotassium: 238mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1414IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg