8 lb/3.6 chicken bones (meaty)
   cut to 3-inch/75mm lengths
6 qt/5.75 L cold water or
   remouillage or as needed
Salt (optional) as needed

Mirepoix
8 oz/225 g medium dice onions
4 oz/115 g medium dice carrots
4 oz/115 g medium dice celery
Sachet d'épices, containing
   2 to 3 parsley stems,
   1/2 tsp/2 ml fresh or dried thyme,
   1/2 tsp/2 ml cracked black peppercorns,
   1 bay leaf and 1 garlic clove

1. Rinse the bones under cool running water and place in a stockpot.

2. Add cold water or remouillage to cover the bones by about 2 inches. Add salt to taste if desired.

3. Slowly bring the stock to a simmer. Skim the surface as necessary.

4. Simmer for 3 to 4 hours. Add the mirepoix and sachet and continue to simmer the stock 1 more hour, skimming as necessary and tasting from time to time.

5. Strain the stock through a sieve or a colander lined with rinsed cheesecloth. The stock may be used at this point, or it may be properly cooled, labeled, and stored.

Notes:
Replace 2 pounds of the chicken bones with turkey necks for an extra rich, gelatinous stock.

Add or replace aromatic ingredients to achieve a particular flavor. For example: Ginger, lemongrass, and fresh or dried chiles, juniper berries for game stocks, strongly flavored herbs, such as tarragon or rosemary, wild mushroom stems.

Variations:
White Veal Stock made from veal bones that are gently simmered with mirepoix and a sachet, was originally called Ordinary Stock. Simmer for 6 to 8 hours.

White Beef Stock is made by replacing chicken bones with an equal amount of beef bones. Often, chefs like to include a piece of veal shank to add body to the stock. Simmer for 8 to 10 hours.

Stocks for Jus Lié-style Pan Sauces: Brown the bones in a pot. (Chicken is shown here, but other birds and meats can be substituted.) Combine them with just enough stock or water to barely cover and simmer over low heat for 4 to 6 hours (a lesser quantity of liquid is used in relation to the bones than for a regular stock). Brown the mirepoix and tomato paste; add to the stock. Deglaze the pan used to brown the mirepoix with water or wine and add to the stock. Add a bouquet garni or sachet and simmer for 1 hour more.