Pressure-Cooker Chicken Stock

(67)
Yield:
Makes about 2 1/2 quarts

Pressure cookers reduce cooking time by as much as two-thirds without ruining the food's nutritional value -- making them ideal for a long-cooking stock. This recipe is adapted from "The Pressured Cook" by Lorna Sass.

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds chicken parts (wings, backs, legs, and necks), rinsed

  • 10 cups water

  • 2 large carrots, scrubbed or peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 2 large ribs celery, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 2 large onions, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 1 dried bay leaf

  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

Directions

  1. Place chicken and water in an 8 1/2-quart stove-top pressure cooker and bring to a boil over medium-high. Using a ladle, skim impurities and fat that rise to the top. Add vegetables, bay leaf, and peppercorns.

  2. Lock the lid in place. Over high heat, bring to high pressure. Lower the heat just enough to maintain high pressure and cook for 30 minutes. If time permits, let the pressure decrease naturally, about 20 minutes. Otherwise, quick-release the pressure by setting the cooker under cold running water.

  3. Remove the lid, tilting it away from you to allow any excess steam to escape. Allow stock to cool slightly. Strain through cheesecloth set over a fine-mesh sieve. Skim off fat if using immediately, or let cool completely (in an ice-water bath, if desired) before transferring to airtight containers. Refrigerate at least 8 hours to allow the fat to accumulate at the top; lift off and discard fat before using or storing stock.

    pressure-cooker-chicken-stock-mscs104.jpg
    David E. Steele

Cook's Notes

Stock can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen up to 3 months; thaw completely in the refrigerator before using.

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