Rich Chicken Stock

I don't know about anyone else but I love keeping chicken carcasses and the juices left over from baking chickens. Luckily, we have a huge freezer so I just stock pile it all until I have enough to make a big batch of stock. I use the broth for soup, making stuffing, or anything that calls for chicken broth. No additives and preservatives in this stuff and it's totally freezable! I like to put it into quart baggies and it usually lasts 6 months or so.

• 4 pounds chicken bones, chopped
• 3 large onions, quartered (skin left on)
• 1/2 head celery coarsely chopped
• 2 large carrots, coarsely chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 cup whole peppercorns
• Small bunch flat-leaf parsley, stems only
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Combine chicken bones, onions, celery, and carrots in a large roasting pan; toss with oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Roast until the bones and vegetables are a rich golden brown, about 30 to 40 minutes.

Transfer the bones and vegetables to a large stockpot, add 12 cups cold water, and the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 4 hours, skimming the scum that rises to the top with a ladle every 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and strain through a mesh strainer into a clean pot. Place back on the stove over high heat and cook until reduced by half. Use immediately or let cool to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.