⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 4 servings

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

🍽 Ingredients

• 8 cups Water or Vegetable Stock
• 2 medium, chopped Carrots
• 2 stalks, chopped Celery
• 1 medium, chopped Onion
• 1, chopped (white and light green parts only) Leeks
• 4 cloves, smashed Garlic
• 8 ounces, sliced (cremini, shiitake, or a mix!) Mushrooms
• 2 cups, roughly chopped Kale or Spinach
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon (or to taste) Salt

📖 Instructions

1. First, gather your ingredients. Wash all your veggies thoroughly. I usually listen to a really upbeat podcast while I do this – makes the chopping way more fun!
2. Next, roughly chop all your vegetables. Don't worry about making them perfectly uniform – rustic is good! Remember, it's all going into a broth!
3. In a large pot or Dutch oven, add your chopped vegetables, along with the water or stock. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, partially cover, and let it simmer for at least 45 minutes, or up to 2 hours for a deeper flavor. Longer is better, but you've got to have the time!
4. After simmering, remove the pot from the heat. If you’re using an immersion blender, carefully blend the broth directly in the pot until you reach your desired consistency. If you don't have one, carefully transfer the broth to a blender in batches (be mindful of the heat!). Blend until smooth.
5. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth lined strainer into a clean bowl or container. This removes any solids and gives you a wonderfully clear broth.
6. Once strained, taste your broth. Season it with salt and pepper, or add any other spices or herbs to enhance the flavor. I like to add a tiny pinch of smoked paprika for a subtle smoky note – it's amazing!
7. Allow the broth to cool completely before storing in the refrigerator or freezer. And there you have it – your colorful, flavorful, and totally artistic broth!
8. Optional: For an even richer flavor, consider roasting some of the vegetables (like carrots, onions, and celery) in the oven before adding them to the pot. This enhances their natural sweetness and adds a delicious depth of flavor. It's a little extra work, but trust me, it's worth it! This is my own personal technique that is completely optional!

📝 Notes

• Always taste and adjust seasoning as needed. A little goes a long way!
• For a smoother broth, let it cool slightly before blending or straining.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavor actually improves over time!