The Magic of Bone Broth

Since World War II, food has often become about convenience more than about its power to support healthy bodies, and heal sick ones. With the discovery of MSG (monosodium glutamate), an artificial flavor enhancer that has an umami taste, giving a recipe just that hint-of-something flavor that it was missing, we’ve been cutting corners in the kitchen, using quickies such as bouillon cubes, dehydrated powdered soup mixes, and boxed stocks and broths—the latter, consisting of mostly water, and very little real food ingredients.

While this has sped up cooking, it has slowed down our health and faded our patience for preparing real, whole-food broth recipes. True broth is the result of slowly simmering animal bones (think beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish) in water until the bones break down and release their natural collagen and protein. This can be done at very low heat on the stovetop, in a slow-cooker over the course of a day, or in an electric pressure cooker in just a few hours. It’s almost entirely hands-off cooking, so even though it takes longer to make than unwrapping a bouillon cube, most of that time requires very little attention. It receives additional flavor from veggies such as onion, garlic, carrot, celery, and mushrooms, and herbs and spices such as rosemary, thyme, turmeric, and ginger, to name a handful.

Bone broth is rich in nutrients, minerals, and gut-healing gelatin. It has been consumed for centuries all over the world to improve joint health and digestion, and to improve your body’s ability to assimilate protein. Drinking it regularly (1-2 cups per day) will make your skin glow, lift your mood, and aid in relaxation and better sleep. If this sounds too good to be true, try adding it to your day for a few weeks. Start with one mug in the afternoon and see if you feel its healing effects. Expand to use it in recipes such as homemade chicken soup, to replace water needed in a pot of rice, and in savory sauces and gravies your family will love.

Why not add this ancient, and very relevant ritual to your diet? At the very least, you’ll be partaking in a tradition that connects to your past while supporting your future—and a more nourished and healthier future at that.

 BY SARAH STEFFENS