Kosher Vegan Lite Vegetable Stock

As part of my diet, I decided to experiment with home made broth. I'd always heard they were both tastier and better for you, but I'd never actually put in the time to find out for myself. Now, I'm glad I did. This broth is good enough to drink on its own as a soup. It freezes well and makes a fantastic base for quick soups.

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• 4 large yellow onions, with skin
• 4 celery stalks, with leaves
• 4 carrots
• 1 turnip
• 1 rutabaga
• 1 head garlic
• 2 fresh bay leaves
• 4 strands fresh thyme
• 4 fresh basil leaves
• 1 tbsp black peppercorns
• 16 cups (4 liters) water

In a large stockpot, heat oil at medium-high.

Chop all vegetables into rough pieces, no more than 2 inches each. KEEP the skin of the onions and garlic - they will add color as well as flavor.

Add the vegetables to the stockpot, stirring frequently until they are lightly coated in oil. Cook over medium-high, stirring frequently. Continue cooking until the vegetables are almost burned, about 20 minutes. If they start to smell burned, you've gone too far, but you really do want the vegetables to be dark brown and well past the point where you'd normally eat them. If they look edible, keep cooking. The longer you cook, the more flavorful your broth will be.

When the vegetables are a deep brown, add the water and fresh spices. You can find fresh spices in your produce section, but if they're not available, substitute 2 tablespoons of thyme and basil. Mix well and bring to a rolling boil. Partially cover and reduce heat to low. Let simmer at least two hours, stirring about once every half an hour (more if you just like to peek in the pot every now and then.) Put in the refrigerator overnight.

The next day, strain broth through 2 layers of cheesecloth. If you can't find cheesecloth, put oil splatter screen over a bowl. Put your colander over the splatter screen. Then carefully pour the broth through the two layers of mesh. Discard vegetables. Use or freeze broth.

This broth has no Weight Watchers points. That's right, folks, it's free!