Vegetable Stock

By norsegal8

It is important to use a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or stockpot so that the vegetables caramelize properly without burning. A stalk of lemon grass, available in some grocery stores and most Asian markets, adds a clean, refreshing flavor to the stock. If you cannot find lemon grass, however, the flavor will still be very good.

Ingredients

• 2 medium onions (about 12 ounces), peeled and chopped coarse
• 10 - 12 cloves garlic, from 1 head, each clove peeled and smashed
• 8 large shallots (about 8 ounces), sliced thin
• 1 rib celery, chopped coarse
• Vegetable cooking spray
• 1 small carrot, peeled and chopped coarse
• 4 large leeks, white and light green parts only, cleaned and chopped coarse (about 5 1/2 cups)
• stems fresh parsley leaves (from 1 bunch)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons table salt
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, coarsely cracked
• 1 pound collard greens, washed, dried, and sliced crosswise into 2-inch strips (about 10 cups packed)
• 1 small head cauliflower (about 12 ounces), chopped fine (about 4 cups)
• 8 - 10 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 stalk lemon grass, trimmed to bottom 6 inches and bruised with back of chef's knife
• 4 medium scallions, white and light green parts, cut into 2-inch lengths
• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar

Details

Servings 4

Preparation

Step 1

1. Combine onions, garlic, shallots, celery, and carrot in heavy-bottomed, 8-quart stockpot or Dutch oven; spray vegetables lightly with vegetable cooking spray and toss to coat. Cover and cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until pan bottom shows light brown glaze, 20 to 30 minutes. Add leeks and increase heat to medium; cook, covered, until leeks soften, about 10 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups hot water and cook, partially covered, until water has evaporated to a glaze and vegetables are very soft, 25 to 35 minutes.

2. Add parsley stems, bay leaves, salt, peppercorns, and 7 cups hot water. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to simmer; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently, covered, to blend flavors, about 15 minutes.

3. Add collard greens, cauliflower, thyme, lemon grass, and scallions. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to simmer; reduce heat to low and simmer gently, covered, to blend flavors, about 15 minutes longer. Strain stock through large strainer into 2-quart bowl or container, allowing stock to drip through to drain thoroughly (do not press on solids). Stir vinegar into stock. (Stock can be covered and refrigerated up to 4 days or frozen up to 2 months.)