Homemade Bone Broth - Helpful Links

We saw about 5 inches of snow here in Northern Virginia today. I was thankful I had my bone broth ready to go!  This was my first attempt at bone broth and while I'd say it flopped ( ie. didn't gel, flavor was bland ) I added a bit of my own gelatin to make sure I had that in there ;) and some Himalayan salt as it was in need of it! :D Lessons were learned and I know it will be better next time, so it's all good!

Back to the drawing board, I perused the internets and found some knowledgable resources for the next time I make chicken bone broth. And because this blog serves to share my culinary creations and the information I find along the way I hope you find these entries helpful too! Enjoy!

Chicken Bone Broth Recipe from Oh Lardy!

10 Reasons I Drink Bone Broth from Kitchen Stewardship

5 Reasons Why Your Stock Won't Gel from The Healthy Home Economist

Chicken Pepper Soup for the Crock Pot - Low Carb, Paleo Friendly Gluten and Sugar Free Recipe

Awe yeah...

Some peppers, some spice and then it's all every one be nice to you because you are the cook and what not. Awe.... yeah... respect to the cook! :)

RESPECT! Amiright?

It's okay, it's your kitchen, you own it! Own that kitchen and get your cook on! Holla!

Now that we've established the owners rights of the kitchen and you, said cook have your game face on,

 lets work your apron and crock pot shall we?

Chicken Pepper Soup

Pin it for later HERE.

What You'll Need:
1 - 3lb whole chicken (or 4 - 6 chicken breasts cut into cubes)
3 cups chopped bell peppers of all colors
1 medium zucchini chopped
1 cup onion chopped
1/2 cup water
3 jalapenos diced
1/2 c chili powder
1 - 6 oz can of organic tomato paste
2 cups beef stock
1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
1 Teaspoon cumin
1/2 Teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 Teaspoon celtic sea salt

Place all items in your crock pot on High for 4 hours or on Keep Warm for 8 hours.
I do recommend stirring every so often.

About 30 minutes before you plan on eating, use tongs (and care!) to pull the chicken pieces from the soup. Let sit for 20 minutes (or set in the fridge for 10 minutes to save yourself from burning your fingers!)

Once the chicken has been cooled, pull the meat from the bones and put in the soup.

***You can hold onto the carcass and skin to make homemade chicken broth... just a thought. ;)***

It's time to eat! I add a bit of sour cream and chili pepper flakes to my own dish of soup, 

but you feel free to garnish however you like to how it suits you! :)

This soup would also be good to make when the family seems to be fighting a cold. The chili powder will help get their noses running and the broth you'll naturally make while cooking the chicken pieces will help them get better faster! I've heard a cup of broth a day keeps the doctor away! ;) 

Vegetable Beef Stew - Low Carb Recipe for the Crock Pot

Since I woke up to a rainy day this past Sunday, I knew it was time to pull out the crock pot and use the beef stew meat I'd had in the freezer.

This time, while making the soup, I held back on the spicy spices to help change things up a bit... After sharing all the recipes I'd made in my first post, I realized I make a lot of spicy things! :) So this recipe is an effort to balance things out and add more variety. Also, though zucchini is not listed in the ingredients, I later realized it would have been an excellent addition! If they are in your kitchen I think adding a medium sized one, all chopped up, would hit the spot! :)

Vegetable Beef Stew

What you'll need:

- 1.5lbs Stew Beef
- 1 Cup chopped onion
- 1 Cup chopped peppers
- 1 can drained green beans, kitchen cut
- 1 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 3 Cups beef broth
- 1 Cup water
- 2 Tablespoons Bacon Grease
- 1 or 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Poultry Seasoning
- 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
- 1/8 Teaspoon Paprika
- 1/8 Teaspoon Ground Mustard

Add all ingredients to crock pot and set on low for 8 hours.

If you want the soup in 4 hours put all ingredients in crock pot on HIGH for 4 hours.

Serve warm! Add a dollop of sour cream on top if you like! It's equally delicious ;) 

Ahh... the beauty of crock pots...throw things together, set it and forget it... until you're ready to eat!