"Good broth will resurrect the dead"
south american proverb
south american proverb
We've just done a trial run. Our original girls that we started out with 2 1/2 years ago - we culled 100 of them and had them processed. Reason for culling? Their eggs are large and wonky and somewhat unpredictable. For a backyard - they're still perfect - and probably even better as there's a lot of double yolkers in there! However, for us, collecting, carting and packaging them and feeding "not so prime" birds is quite a challenge.
So off I trundled in the ute, 35 weeks pregnant, 3 year old in tow to the big smoke to a clean little processing place in Melbourne. I bid our old girls goodbye and thanked them for their lives and generosity.
You wouldn't believe how many processing plants (about 15) that I rang prior to having a friend mention this one that would finally take our birds. Every one of them said that they only take orders from 20,000 to 200,000 hens as a starting point. My jaw dropped as I saw the reality of our poultry industry today.
Well, out of the 100 we're doing a few trial runs with 25 going to two Organic Butchers and the others to friends - I can't believe that less than 24 hours after returning home that I only have 10 birds left to cook with!!
My trial included legs thighs and breasts in the crockpot on low in an apricot sauce. SUBLIME. Oh, the flavour!! Yes, the meat is not pale and insipid and tender, but it is not like a boot and has intense whole flavour that is lovely when it's slow cooked.
The carcasses I browned well in the oven then chucked the whole lot - skin, fat, and pan drippings in cold water with 2 small onions, some fresh celery and carrots a couple of grabs of parsley and 6 chicken feet. It's been on the fire overnight. My home smells amazing. Our bodies will be thanking us over the next few days. If you want to know why those feet are in there - have a read: "Broth is Beautiful" from the Weston A Price Foundation.
What do you think? Would you like to have a chance to get some of these from a shop? We are considering selling them with a reputable Organic Butcher. Leave us a comment to let us know.
Hope to have some baby news for you soon!
