Store bought chicken broth

[PJMcK]

31. Stock ingredients

Generally, we don't put too many vegetables in the broth because we don't always know what we'll be using it for. Sometimes we'll do as you have and add Parsnip or Celery. But we always use Rosemary, Parsley, Thyme, Lemon Juice, Salt & Pepper and a splash of red wine.

Your quest to recreate your grandma's soup is reminiscent of something that happened to my fiancee. Her first husband was Italian and his mother was a monster cook. She made amazing meals. Without hesitation, she would always share her recipes with her daughters-in-law. But when the DILs talked amongst themselves, they discovered a curiosity: Even if they followed the directions completely accurately, the dishes didn't turn out quite the way Mama made them. Eventually, they discovered that Mama would always leave out one key ingredient or preparatory step that would change the outcome! I guess the sneaky old lady wanted to keep a few secrets!

There's a kind of spiritualism, I think, in your attempts to make your grandma's chicken soup. How would you feel if you finally nailed it? Doesn't the search for the magic of that soup keep you connected with the memory of your grandma?

Enjoy your chicken stock, Laura!