Different Methods to Make Bone Broth and Ways to Use This Magic Brew in Your Diet

I got on the bone broth band wagon two years ago, and I haven’t fallen off 😊! If I really like something or find it helps me, I can be very consistent. So, it is with both kombucha and Bone broth. Once I saw how my health improved, I have drunk both these liquids almost every day for the last two years. I may have skipped drinking bone broth a few times, but I have had the powdered version to compensate.  I love bone broth and it features at every health talk that I give, simply because, I want people to make it a part of their routine too and reap the same benefits as I did. More flexibility, almost no joint pain (I had mild arthritis a few years back) healthy skin and hair, a healthy gut, are just some of the benefits I have gained with this magic healing elixir. It’s no wonder that I make quarts of it and give away to friends and family who are convalescing or who just want to drink it.  The thing with bone broth is you can cook the same bones and still get the healing liquid. You can reuse the bones 5 times, but I have only tried re- cooking the bones up to 3 times. When I cook it the first time, I get this heavy dense “jello” like pudding. The second time, a little less dense “jello” and the third time a little watery “jello”.  But believe me, every single batch is packed with gut healing glucosamine, glutamine, amino acids and lots of stuff that’s so good for you. I generally freeze what I cannot use, so I always have a stock, of frozen bone broth.  It freezes well in plastic tubs. I tried using freezer bags but something to do with the liquid expanding, it bust 😊! I would love to use glass jars but not sure how well they would freeze.

You can use any combination of bones to make your broth.  I always use chicken feet in combination with beef bones or pork bones. I sometimes put in some fish bones or a fish head and I find that different bones give it a different flavor. I also include a generous portion of dried shitake mushroom from the Asian store to give it some added nutrition. You can add onion, carrots, any vegetable that’s getting a little dry and it will add flavor and nutrition to your broth. I tend to keep my broth basic because I also like to cook with the broth. I add flavors when I reheat the broth and that works for me.  I have recently started making salmon bone and spinach broth, which to drink, is totally yummy! My husband likes salmon and it retails at 8.99 / lb. average.  At my fish grocer I found that he sells salmon tail bone for $0.99 cents or $1.99/ lb. The bone has so much flesh still on it, thanks to the method of filleting the fish, and when I cook that in my broth with some fresh spinach or just plain, the salmon flesh separates from the bone and you have quality salmon at a fraction of the price.  So healthy, inexpensive and good. Plus all that salmon skin gives it a dose of healthy omega 3!  See my picture below 😊!

When I made my first batch of bone broth, I roasted the bones, pressure cooked, slow cooked, and got yummy flavored bone broth.  Now I have a much less labored method and it tastes good too. I don’t roast the bones anymore since it takes too much time, but I am happy with the quality of broth I get.  I am writing this post mainly to encourage people to make bone broth using whichever method works for them and some of the methods are easy. And If you can’t make bone broth but still want to drink it, come on over and I will give you some of my stash.

Ways to make bone broth

When you make bone broth, remember to add some vinegar, lemon or tomatoes. You need acid to pull all that goodness and strength from the bone.  When you put your bones into the pot, you should have only 1 or 2 inches of liquid above the bone. Any more than that will result in thin or watery broth. Refrigerating the broth before you use it is a good idea because it helps to skim off the thick layer of fat that collects on the surface. Some people use the fat in cooking, but I just freeze it since I think I may make soaps one day when am feeling creative 😊! Picture of how I skim the fat. 

Intantpot Method: This is the method I use most of the time. This can also be done in an electric pressure cooker which has a slow cooker setting or a pressure pot.  Cook bones on high pressure for an hour and then slow cook for 6 hours.

Pressure Cooker Method: Cook on high pressure for 3 – 4 hours

Slow cooker method: Slow cook overnight or during the day for 14 – 20 hours (the longer the better)

Stove top methods. Cook on high till liquid begins to boil. Then cook on simmer for 14 – 20 hours (the longer the better)

Ways to use Bone Broth

• Soup base: once you use bone broth as a soup base you won’t be buying store made broth anymore. It gives any soup a rich flavor and bone broth is so versatile it takes on the flavors you infuse. My family has chicken soup made with bone broth once a week and they all love it. Think Tom yum, pho, chili, egg drop soup etc.
• Casseroles: use it in place of water in casseroles, risottos and other dishes
• Gravy: Next thanksgiving, wow your guests with a flavorful bone broth gravy. Or why wait for thanksgiving, make gravy anytime.
• Sauces: Use some bone broth in a sauce or in mashed potatoes in place of milk.
• Rice pilafs, biryani etc.: Bone broth substituted for half the liquid in recipes that call for liquid adds a lot of flavor and added nutrition. Use in stir fry dishes.
• Curries: Bone broth gives any curry a bold flavor. The weaker third time bone broth is what I use in my curries.

The uses are endless 😊!! Be creative!!

Week 7 of my social media fast and it’s really going well. I cannot believe how quickly time has flown and I have learnt so much through this fast. All Good 😊!! Cant say I am in a hurry to get back but I will probably take it slow and easy!

As for my weekly newsletter, lol: Went to see “Dumbo”with my youngest on Saturday and it was beautiful. If there’s one movie you see with your kids, this is the one! Heck! borrow someone else kids and go see it. It’s a (I don’t want to give it away😊) great movie for all ages. Then last night hubby took me for a barber shop quartet concert which was fabulous in an old-fashioned comfort food kind of way 😊😊! I loved it, but then I love any time I spend with hubby as in “date night”!  This week my youngest kid has spring break Wednesday on and I am keeping myself available to chauffeur her and her friends to the mall, DC or wherever. And hoping for some mommy-daughter time too 😊! Gone are those days when both my kids had spring break together and we could all do fun stuff. I miss those  spring breaks but I like the current breaks too where I get quality time with one kid at a time and some time all together on the weekend. I guess you just learn to go with the flow and adjust your sails accordingly as your kids grow! The important thing is savoring the moment in your life whatever it is ! Wednesday is hubby’s birthday so thinking of stuff to do to  make my husband feel special! I am also in the mood for some spring cleaning this week, so de-clutter, clean home it is in my spare time that is :)!!

Have an awesome week everyone. Enjoy your life and those around you! Thank you for stopping by! Love, hugs and peace to all :)!

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