Taking bone broth to a new and flavourful level

27 Nov Taking bone broth to a new and flavourful level

In my previous posts, I have ranted and raved about bone broth and it’s health benefits. For most people it takes a little bit of planning, but once done, they feel a huge sense of accomplishment. This nutrient-dense broth provides the body with collagen, minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur and amino acids such as Glycine, proline and arginine all in one potent healing jar.

You may find that the flavour just isn’t something that you can enjoy on it’s own and warmed up in a cup. If  you fall into this category, don’t feel discouraged, there are so many other ways to enjoy.

1. Add an ice cube or two of broth to a completely different soup (such as tomato) or sauce

   This is  a trick I use with my son who insists that he doesn’t like bone broth. In spite of his conviction that bone broth is “disgusting” and his refusal to drink it plain, it’s in his diet several times a week. Simply put, it’s the liquid used to make rice and quinoa or added to his “pasta Friday”. Let’s just say he has no idea, but his immune system is great.

2. Use the broth to make a delicious chicken noodle soup

   You know that old recipe that grandma used to make, feel free to use it, but in place of  regular stock, super boost your soup with bone broth. Chicken noodle soup is a great comfort food, when you are feeling down, cold or sick.

3. Use the broth to enjoy as congee

   I was first introduced to congee when I was at the Naturopathic College. A group of us would go to a little “whole in the wall restaurant” that served all forms of Congee. It was nourishing and warming in the winter months, after really long days studying. This soup is enjoyed in many Asian countries and involves cooking rice in twice the amount of water for twice the amount of time. Ultimately, you end with a gruel or porridge consistency that you can customize in flavour. Just add any combination of meat, fish/shellfish, tofu, veggies and flavourful herbs. You can boost this cultural food by adding ginger, medicinal mushrooms (such as cordyceps, shiitake, reishi, maitake, chaga and turkey tail), and bone broth to maximize it’s immune boosting potential.

   If you would like to take bone broth to a new level, try making a “change of season soup”.

   This soup is a combination of Chinese herbs aimed at tonifying the immune system. Historically, it has been used by healthy individuals during times of change and vulnerability. The herbs used help to keep the body strong and resistant to infection. People are encouraged to drink 1-2 cups/day for 2 weeks. If you are sick, you need to wait until you are better to resume drinking this soup.

   1. 1. Codnopsis root- Helps to build blood and nourish bodily fluids.
      2. Astragalus root- Strengthens and balances the body’s defences and vital force.
      3. Dioscorea root (Chinese yam) is an herb believed to tonify the immune system, hormones and adrenals.
      4. Chinese Lycii berries- Strengthen the liver and kidneys.

   Traditionally these herbs would be added to a large pot of water and boiled for 4-6 hours, adding more liquids when necessary. Once cooled, you can remove the herbs and use as a drink or stock for other soups. It would be easy to super boost this traditional soup by adding these same herbs to your bone broth. Using a cheese cloth would allow for their easy removal after 4-6 hours, while allowing the rest of the bone broth to continue cooking.

Photo by Kjokkenutstyr.net