Bone broth is fast becoming the latest superfood thanks to its healing properties.
This golden liquid, made from boiling bones for up to 24 hours, is a good source of collagen, as well as important minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.
Nutritional therapists, myself included, may recommend bone broth consumption in digestive disorders, thanks to the presence of glutamine.
Glutamine is required in the synthesis of structural proteins, for example, the structures that line your gut, so it plays an important role in improving digestive disorders. Joints also benefit from glutamine.
Collagen, another structural protein component, is advantageous to skin, joint and bone health.
Glutathione, is a further structural protein, that is useful for repair, muscle synthesis and for improving bone mineral density.
Who knew a cup of chicken stock could be so good for you?
Here is the recipe for chicken broth. This recipe also works with other bones, just make sure they are organic.
Ingredients:
Bones from 1 organic chicken (leftovers from a Sunday roast would work perfectly)
2 carrots
1 stick of celery
5 black peppercorns
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar
Filtered water
Method:
Put all of the ingredients in a large pan and top with enough water to cover by an inch.
Bring to the boil.
Boil rapidly for a minute or so and skim off any foam that may collect on the top.
Reduce the heat to the lowest setting, put a lid on the pan and cook for as long as possible. A minimum of 6 hours is ideal.
When you are finished cooking it, strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve and discard the solid ingredients.
Use the broth in soups and stews as a substitute for stock or add a few slices of ginger, a teaspoon of miso and vegetables of your choice to a cup of broth for a tasty miso soup.
The broth will keep for 5-6 days in an airtight container in the fridge or for up to 3 months in the freezer.
No time to make bone broth?
Here are a few UK companies that will make it for you:
Ossa - 24-hour organic chicken, beef and fish bone broth. Available from Ocado.
Coombe Farm Organic - organic bone broth by Borough Broth Co and organic bones for broth from Somerset
Borough Broth Co - cups of organic broth available to buy for lunch at Selfridges and various markets in London