Recipe: Broth (Brodo)

the appetizer:

Italian Cooking at Home by the Culinary Institute of America includes recipes like Chickpea Fritters (Panissa fritta o panelle); Black Risotto (Risotto al nero di seppia); Broth (Brodo); and Stuffed Grilled Swordfish (Involtini di pesce spada).

Broth (Brodo)

Makes 1-1/2 gallons

Ingredients used to prepare broth

A big pot of simmering brodo is a common sight. The cook visits the brodo frequently, checking that the simmer is very gentle and never approaching a boil. A skimmer is nearby to lift any debris on the surface. And a spoon is handy to check the brodo while it simmers so that the cook is ready to add a bit of seasoning when it is needed.

One 3- to 4-lb chicken
3 lb beef (top blade chuck or shank)
3 medium yellow onions
3 carrots
3 celery stalks
3 fresh or canned plum tomatoes
1 sachet containing 3 cloves, 8 black peppercorns, 2 bay leaves,
1 small bunch flat-leaf parsley, and 3 thyme sprigs
Kosher salt,as needed

Place the ingredients into the pot and cover with water.
As it cooks, impurities will float to the surface. After cooking, strain the broth
until it's clear, and free of all solids.

1. Pullout any pockets of fat from the chicken and rinse well. Trim the beef of any visible fat. Put the chicken and beef in a large pot and add enough cold water to completely cover the meats.

2. Put the pot over medium heat, cover, and bring the water to a simmer. As soon as it comes to a simmer, remove the lid and start skimming any foam that rises to the surface. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and tomatoes.

3. Partially cover the pot by setting the lid slightly ajar to leave an opening; that way, the pot won't be as likely to boil over and you can keep an eye on it more easily. Bring it back to a simmer and cook, periodically skimming the foam that rises to the surface, for about 2 hours. Add the sachet to the pot and cook for 30 minutes longer. Remove the meats from the brodo, letting any brodo inside the chicken drain back into the pot. Reserve the meat to use in other dishes. At this point, the brodo should have a rich, deep flavor. If not, remove the sachet, but continue to simmer for 20 to 30 minutes longer. Add salt to taste.

4· Strain the broth through a wire-mesh sieve directly into a pot if you are planning to serve the brodo right away. If you plan to serve the brodo another day, cool it quickly and store it in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

from:
Italian Cooking at Home
by the Culinary Institute of America
Gianni Scappin, Alberto Vanoli, and Steven Kolpan
Photographer: Francesco Tonelli
Wiley 2011
Hardcover; $34.95; 336 pages
ISBN-10: 047018258X
ISBN-13: 978-0-470-18258-1
Reprinted by permission.

Buy Italian Cooking at Home

Italian Cooking at Home

Recipes
- Chickpea Fritters (Panissa fritta o panelle)
- Black Risotto (Risotto al nero di seppia)
- Broth (Brodo)
- Stuffed Grilled Swordfish (Involtini di pesce spada)