3 pound beef soup bones (knuckle, neck, or marrow bones) 1 cup water 4 medium carrots, cut up 3 medium onion, unpeeled and cut up 6 stalks celery with leaves, cut up 2 tablespoon dried basil or thyme, crushed 1 tablespoon salt 20 whole black peppercorns 16 sprigs fresh parsley 4 bay leaves 6 cloves garlic, unpeeled and halved 18 cup cold water 2 tablespoon cider vinegar

Pressure Cooker Directions

Prepare as directed, except reduce all ingredients by half. Roast bones as directed. Pour 1/2 cup water into the roasting pan and scrape up browned bits. In a 6-quart stovetop or electric pressure cooker combine the water mixture and remaining ingredients. Lock lid in place. Set electric cookers on high pressure to cook for 1 1/2 hours. For stovetop cookers, bring up to pressure over medium-high heat according to manufacturer’s directions; reduce heat enough to maintain steady (but not excessive) pressure according to manufacturer’s directions. Cook for 1 1/2 hours. Remove from heat. For electric and stovetop models, let stand to release pressure naturally for at least 15 minutes or according to manufacturer’s directions. If necessary, carefully open steam vent to release any remaining pressure. Open lid carefully. Continue as directed in recipe. Makes about 10 cups.Nutrition analysis per serving: 29 calories, 4 g protein, 1 g carbohydrate, 1 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 9 mg cholesterol, 0 g fiber, 0 g total sugar, 12% Vitamin A, 3% Vitamin C, 136 mg sodium, 2% calcium, 3% ironPer 1 cup: 29 cal., 1 g fat (0 g sat. fat), 9 mg chol., 136 mg sodium, 1 g carb., 0 g fiber, 4 g pro.

The Bones

Look for soup bones at your meat counter. Neck bones, back bones, and marrow bones are good choices. Ask your butcher to cut the marrow bones into 2 to 3 inch lengths; this helps expose more of the marrow. You also can save bones from pot roasts and steaks to use for stock. Simply store them in an airtight container in the freezer until you are ready to use them. Be super thrifty and save your bones from prepared broth. They can be reused for another batch of broth. The broth won’t have as much flavor in the second round, but will still make good broth.