I dunno if these count as tricks or what, but:
- always roast bones before making stock with them. That is, if the bones are currently raw or were just simmered/boiled when the meat was initially cooked, put them on a lightly oiled roasting or jelly-roll pan and roast them in the oven for a short while til they are golden and smelling roast-chicken-y. THEN simmer 'em up for stock. Much tastier. (If you're using the stripped carcass of a roast chicken, of course, no need to re-roast!)
- a handful of slivered almonds is really really good in vegetable or chicken-rice type soups. I know, it sounds weird, but trust me.
- you can use an egg to clarify broth that's gotten cloudy from boiling too hard or from being started with raw bones. Google for instructions - it is not hard but you have to follow the procedure if you want a really clear broth. The egg ends up "wasted" in the end but could probably be fed to chickens or dogs if you want
Pat
- always roast bones before making stock with them. That is, if the bones are currently raw or were just simmered/boiled when the meat was initially cooked, put them on a lightly oiled roasting or jelly-roll pan and roast them in the oven for a short while til they are golden and smelling roast-chicken-y. THEN simmer 'em up for stock. Much tastier. (If you're using the stripped carcass of a roast chicken, of course, no need to re-roast!)
- a handful of slivered almonds is really really good in vegetable or chicken-rice type soups. I know, it sounds weird, but trust me.
- you can use an egg to clarify broth that's gotten cloudy from boiling too hard or from being started with raw bones. Google for instructions - it is not hard but you have to follow the procedure if you want a really clear broth. The egg ends up "wasted" in the end but could probably be fed to chickens or dogs if you want

Pat