I was was very happy to realize that my home made chicken stock this year was COMPLETELY home GROWN!!

Onions from my Garden…..check!  Carrots from my garden….check!  Garlic from my garden….check!  Summer Savory dried from my garden….check! Oregano dried from my garden….check!!! Water from my well…..check!  My home grown chickens – the bones, legs and all the stuff left over from when I cut them up for the freezer……check!   Salt and Pepper….. okay okay I didn’t grow those…..

It was so easy!  I just stuck everything in a pot (I used 3 ’cause I had a lot) and brought to a boil, then simmered on low for 4 hours. I actually had a portion in a crock pot too on high for 8 hours.  Each pot got 1 onion, 2 carrots, a BULB of garlic, a tablespoon of dried savory and oregano and a tsp of salt and pepper (which I can adjust at time of future cooking).

Once complete I cooled and poured through a strainer into a bowl.

I save large yogurt containers so I portioned the stock into the containers, labeled and froze (you can use mason jars too if you wish)

The best part was all the meat that was left over.

I picked through the pile and found TONS of very tender, flavourful meat that is shredded.  Again I portioned and froze and now I have convenient packages of chicken that I can use for chicken ceaser wraps or chicken soup or…or… OR!!

I have to say I am quite proud of myself this year.  I am on an exciting road to being more and more self reliant.

I feel a weight slipping off my shoulders.