FISH STOCK
Ingredients
800g assorted fish/fishbones.
½ small onion
½ small carrot
small piece celery.
1 green top of a leek
10g butter
1 fennel stalk (opt)
2-3 cloves garlic cut in half.
1 litre cold water
150ml dry white wine
1 bouquet garni ƒ bayleaf, fresh thyme, fresh parsley, (tarragon opt)
Serves: Makes 1.5 litres approx.
Source: James Peterson
Method
Check bones are fresh.
Remove gills, and any roe and viscera left.
Cut into 1" chunks and rinse very well to remove all blood and ensure bones very clean.
Peel and roughly dice onion, carrot and celery, cut leek tops into chunks.
Melt the butter in a large pan.
Sweat diced vegetables, leek top, fennel and garlic in butter for about 5 mins.
Add the bones, stir well over heat for about 5 mins.
Add water, pour in wine and simmer gently.
When stock simmers carefully skim off any scum.
Add bouquet garni and simmer about 40 mins.
Do not be tempted to over cook, the bones will impart a bitter taste.
Strain through a colander, let cool.
If required strain through a fine sieve (chinois).
Leave to cool.
Any sediment will drop to the bottom.
Carefully pour off the stock, leaving sediment behind, throw this away.
Freeze the stock in suitable containers.