What’s so great about bone broth? This health food is receiving plenty of attention from nutrition experts over recent years, and for a good reason. Bones contain gelatin and marrow which break down into collagen, an essential protein for human health. Eating more collagen in your diet improves bone density while keeping your skin looking youthful. Enjoying a cup of steaming hot bone broth on a winter morning is an ideal way to start your day. This nutrient-dense food provides your body with the energy you need to boost metabolic health and improve neurological function.
Making bone broth is easy. Visit your local butcher and buy a few pounds of beef, chicken, or lamb bones. Toss them into a crockpot with a few bay leaves, some cracked black pepper, a pinch of Himalayan pink salt and fresh vegetables like celery, carrots and an onion. Add 10 to 12-cups of water and bring to the boil.
When boiling, reduce the heat and let the broth simmer for 36 to 48-hours. During simmering, the bones release collagen into the broth. After the simmer phase is complete, remove the bones, vegetables, and herbs. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth and store in mason jars in your fridge.
The bone broth tastes fantastic on its own and makes a terrific stock for other soups. Here are 15 delicious soup ideas you can create using bone broth as a base.
1. Tortilla and Sweet Potato Soup
The ideal meal to serve during a Sunday football game. This recipe for tortilla and sweet potato chicken soup delights the taste buds. Served with fresh tortilla chips and garnished with lime, all your guests will marvel at your culinary skill.
INGREDIENTS
4-cups chicken bone broth.
2-cups cooked and shredded the chicken breast.
1-bag corn tortilla chips.
2-cans diced tomato and chili mix.
2-tablespoons olive oil.
1-clove garlic, minced.
1-onion, diced.
1-large sweet potato, diced.
2-teaspoons dried oregano.
1-Teaspoon chili powder.
1-Teaspoon cumin powder.
Cracked black pepper and crushed Himalayan pink salt.
3-limes quartered.
Chopped cilantro for garnish.
Guacamole and sour cream for serving.
METHOD
Preheat oven to 370°F. Cover a baking sheet with the tortillas and place on the bottom rung of the oven. Bake for 10-minutes until crispy.
Take a large crockpot and add the olive oil to the pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and the onion, cooking until golden brown. Add the sweet potato, cumin powder, chili powder, and oregano, until the herbs become fragrant. Add the chicken broth and the tomato mix. Cook with the lid on for 10-minutes until the flavors mingle.
Remove from heat and stir in the lime juice. Serve with the fresh tortillas, as well as guacamole and sour cream on the side.