We recently added to our crockpot arsenal with a second, identical crock pot. See, the original pot usually always contains a stewing hen to make bone broth. Just about every day we get to awaken to the rich, homey scent of chicken. It lingers for most of the day and nearly every visitor to our home comments first thing about how good the house smells.
After the hens have been warming all night, we have a fresh batch of broth for the day,
as well as some flavorful chicken breasts for chicken salad, tacos, etc.
To make the most gelatinous amazing, healing broth you've ever had - yes real (chilled) broth should not pour out of the jar! It should be like jelly that needs to be scooped out with a spoon!
Eating stewing hens is supporting nose-to-tail dining
It honors the lives of our old laying hens,
bringing the loop full-circle
Not only are eggs the perfect food
broth is the perfect compliment to a pasture-raised diet!
Eat broth daily for a lifetime of super health
Eating the stew hen meat is a whole different bird than meat chickens.
It's flavorful and has fragrant chicken flavor
the only rule is to cook hens low & slow!
Stewing Hen Broth
Add 1 or 2 stewing hens to your crock pot
(we have a 7quart and it fits 2 tiny hens or 1 large hen)
Add 1 Quart water per hen
Add a splash of Apple Cider Vinegar (to extract maximum nutrients from the bones)
Set on low 8 hrs
Let cool
Strain and pour into jars
To Harvest the Meat:
When the birds have cooled,
Gently strip the skin
Strip the breasts
(do this slowly to avoid harvesting little bones)
feed the rest to the cats, bury in the earth, compost, etc.!
Bonus tip: I add salt to both sides of the breasts and store them in a glass tupperware for a day. This further tenderizes and flavors the meat.
Use meat in soups, tacos, sandwiches, salads, etc.
We have Stewing Hens in Stock at the Copia Farm Store
Enjoy!
P.S. The picture at the top is our new crock pot with two meals, which took a total 10 min to put together. How awesome is that! We can't believe how nourishing and satisfying crock pot meals are in winter.
Dinner: Copia smoked, boneless ham, cubed
Cleveland sauerkraut
1/4 yellow onion
Copia Bone Broth
Special Family Celebration Breakfast (served along eggs & ground sausage):