HOMEMADE VEGETABLE BROTH FROM SCRAPS

Steps:

• After you've amassed a gallon-sized freezer bag full of veggies from days of diligent scrap-gathering, dump the frozen contents of the bag into a large stock pot.
• Fill the pot with water about 3 inches from the top - I end up adding around 12 cups of water initially.
• Add the bay leaves and peppercorns.
• Lightly push the vegetables down with a wooden spoon. Avoid stirring at any time during the process - that can make the broth cloudy.
• Over medium heat, bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium-low, keeping at a steady, simmer.
• Simmer until the liquid has reduced by just about half - this takes about an hour.
• Add enough water to return the liquid to its former level. Push the veggies down every once in awhile.
• Bring to a simmer again, and again continue to simmer until the liquid has reduced by half, about another hour.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool.
• Strain the broth concentrate by first pouring it through a colander and then pouring it through a fine-mesh sieve.
• Pour the broth concentrate into containers in 1/2 cup, 1 cup, or 2 cup increments. A standard muffin tin is 1/2 cup, and works well here.
• When the broth concentrate has frozen completely, remove from the freezer and place the chunks in a labeled freezer bag.
• When you're ready to use the broth, bring out a broth concentrate cube and place it in a bowl. Pour an equal amount of hot water over the broth cube (if the broth cube is 1/2 cup, add 1/2 cup water) and and, if desired, add 1 teaspoon of salt per 1 cup of finished broth.
• You may need to microwave the frozen broth concentrate to thaw it completely, or let it sit on the counter for a bit until it thaws. Depending on the recipe, I'll just add it frozen and adjust the recipe times accordingly.