Vegetarian • Gluten-free

Active30 Min

Total3 hrs

Roasted Vegetable Stock

Roasting the vegetables along with a smear of tomato paste yields an extra-flavorful take on vegtable broth.

Equipment: 2 large roasting pans, stockpot

• 6 large carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 5 large onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 bulb fennel, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup white wine, divided
• 20 cups water
• 4 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
• ½ bunch parsley (about 10 sprigs)
• ½ bunch thyme (about 8 sprigs)
• 12 whole black peppercorns
• 6 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
• 4 bay leaves

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.

2. Combine carrots, onions and fennel in a large roasting pan. Toss with oil. Transfer half the vegetables to a second roasting pan. Roast the vegetables for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes and switching the position of the pans each time you stir.

3. In one pan, push the vegetables to one side and spread tomato paste in the other side. Continue roasting (both pans) until the tomato paste begins to blacken, 15 minutes more.

4. Transfer the roasted vegetables to a large stockpot. Pour ½ cup wine into each roasting pan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, scraping up any browned bits, for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the contents of the roasting pans to the stockpot, along with water, celery, parsley, thyme, peppercorns, garlic and bay leaves. Cover and bring to a simmer. Uncover and simmer for 1 hour without stirring, adjusting heat as necessary to maintain the simmer (if the stock boils it will become cloudy).

5. Strain the stock through a colander, pressing on the solids to remove all liquid. Discard the solids. Let the stock cool before storing.

►► MAKE AHEAD: Refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Makes: 16 cups

Analysis note: After straining, stock has negligible calories, nutrients and sodium.

There’s no need to peel the carrots before roasting—in fact, the skin adds flavor and color to the stock—but do give them a good scrubbing with a sturdy vegetable brush under cool running water.