Chicken stock

it is easy and inexpensive to make your own chicken stock. Chicken carcasses are readily available from the supermarket or poultry stores. Put them in a large pot with a carrot, a stick of celery, an onion and a leek, all roughly chopped. Add a bay leaf, a few parsley stalks and peppercorns and cover with fresh, cold water. Bring slowly to the boil, skimming the surface frequently. Simmer gently for an hour or two, before straining. Refrigerate overnight, remove the solidified layer of fat from the top and store
in the freezer in small containers, ready for use in soups, casseroles or risotto.