Vegetable broth
I've started cooking more for a vegetarian friend, and while I have a number of vegetarian cookbooks, I'm hoping to find a broth recipe that doesn't involve ten different vegetables and the incumbent prep. Suggestions? My experience with bouillon cubes has been, except for the Italian ones, pretty wretched. Are there any decent ones out there?
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8 Comments:
Imagine and Kitchen Basics both make good vegetable stock, and Rapunzel (which can be found at food co-ops) makes good bouillon cubes. The first time I made vegetable stock I used a recipe from Cresent Dragonwagon's huge and overwhelmng Passionate Vegetarian. It was a "found" stock - so in addition to your carrot/celery/onion/garlic, you can use some sprigs of thyme and other herbs, and - the best part - any left over veggies you have on hand. So whenever I have trimmings that you don't use for eating (like leeks) I'll make stock. Comes out tasting a little different every time, in a good way. Just don't use any cruciferous vegetables. Hope that helps!
Littlebluesiren at 5:02PM on 09/27/07
Try "Better than Bouillon" brand organic vegetable and mushroom bases. If your friend can eat fish, they also have a lobster base that is very good. I haven't tried their vegan-friendly "no beef base" or "no chicken base" but I live by their other offerings.
The nice thing is that you can adjust the amount of base you use -- if their recommended 1 tsp per cup of water is too salty for you, just cut back.
Dominic
the zen kitchen
dvchurch at 5:32PM on 09/27/07
I vote for Kitchen Basics and Whole Foods' 365 Organic (actually costs less than KB)
charm city cupcake at 6:01PM on 09/27/07
kitchen basics veggie stock is a stand by for me, I use it in place of chicken stock quite often.
huney_bumper at 9:38AM on 09/28/07
I've used Better Than Boullion meat broths with great success, both at home and in a professional environment. Kitchen Basics is a wonderful brand of already-made broth that I proudly use. Also, Pacific Foods = incredible stuff.
I veer away from the usual Swanson's or College Inn - I don't know if they make veggie broth but their meat broths are way too salty, even the low sodium versions.
chiff0nade at 1:53PM on 09/28/07
Better Than Boullion: you can add as much flavor as you want without diluting you soup/sauce or use wine or cream as the liquid instead of water. Bases are my "quick fix" trick quite often. Also a great way to make a quick cheaters gravy....melt butter, stir in base, sprinkle in flour and cook for a roux, whisk in water or milk. If you don't have drippings or just not enough, but you NEED gravy for potatoes it works in a pinch. I bet you could make some great vegetarian sauces this way too, if you must!
Cary at 3:07PM on 09/28/07
I use the boxed vegetable broth at Trader Joes OR this vegetarian broth powder from the bulk spice section at my local co-op or Kroger.
On occasion, I add the broth powder to my fajita "marinade". (I put all of the cut up veggies into a ziplock bag with spices and a bit of oil).
watchforbears at 10:42AM on 09/29/07
I'll beat the dead Better than Bouillon horse - excellent product. Also, it is Imagine, I believe, that makes "No Chicken Stock," which I prefer to their vegetable stock.
zapatista at 4:01PM on 09/29/07