Kittencal's Rich Homemade Beef Stock (Crock-Pot or Stove Top)

Wow, I always tend to like Kittencal's recipes, so I was shocked when I didn't like this. I did as stated and found the flavor to be really bland. So I played with it a bit, even trying to reduce it for a stronger flavor. It never worked. I have to say that for the amount I got out of it, I can purchase a really great organic beef stock for about $3.00. This just wasn't worth it.

In all my cooking, I have never made beef stock for some reason. I found this method really, really easy. I did leave it for about 24 hours (driving my husband crazy with the delicious smell)and I think every last suggestion of flavour was removed from those bones. After I strained it, I mashed the vegetables into a thick sort of paste and used that and the stock to make a beef and barley soup. I think the vegetables retained alot of flavour and I didn't want to lose that... the soup turned out really well and I will definately make stock using this method again. I might add a bit more seasoning next time. Thanks Kittencal.

I have used this with both beef and lamb as the meat/bones in this. I agree with several of the other reviewers, as I feel it is a bit bland, but not too bad (hence the 4 stars: 5 for ease, 3 for taste). To compensate for the blandness I have begun to make it with a few changes. I use fresh herbs instead of dried (adding thyme to the parsley called for), add a bit more carrot, add a couple of cloves of garlic or leek (depending on what I have around), and reduce it a bit before use. In general though, I think it is a good recipe and really like the oven browning (it's a great shortcut).

This is absolutely the MOST FANTASTIC stock...EVER!! Thanks for another awesome recipe!! :-) Update 06/12/10...I first made and reviewed this stock last December. I made two Crock Pots full because of the amount of Beef Bones I had. It took me a couple of days but I froze the stock from both crocks in ice cube trays. I've been using them for months in anything that calls for broth/stock. It brings a whole new dimension to even the most simple of recipes and makes the best-ever homemade soup. Still Fabulous!

Once again a winner. I never made beef stock before. But because this is a Kittencal recipe, I had a high degree of confidence that it was worth the effort. I got my 'beef marrow bones' from Whole Foods, so I have an added sense that this is so much better for me than canned stock or broth. I bought too many bones (my dogs disagree), so I made one batch in the crock pot and another in a stock pot on the stove. I didn't add the onion til after I removed the bones (at the 20 hour mark) because onions are very bad for dogs, and I wanted the mutts to be able to enjoy the bones as a treat. [They say 'thank you, Auntie Kittencal'.] Once I added the onion, I continued cooking for another 5 or 6 hours. Oh, had extra celery, so added that in the beginning to both the crock and stock pots. Didn't chop the carrots that small - once again, they became dog treats, took them out when I took the bones out. Thanks for inspiring me to try something I normally wouldn't have done. It gives me a lot of pleasure knowing I'm making wholesome, healthier foods than what I'd get when I buy things pre-made at the grocery. - Mary