Vegetable stock
This simple vegetable stock only takes half an hour to make, and you can freeze it for later use.
By Paul Merrett
Method
To make the vegetable stock, add the olive oil to a heavy-bottomed pan or stockpot over a medium heat. Add the onion, leek, carrot and fennel and sweat for 2-3 minutes, then add enough cold water to generously cover the vegetables and bring to the boil.
Add the garlic, peppercorns, mushrooms, celery, tomatoes and parsley and stir together. Bring the stock back to the boil and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
Pour the stock through a sieve. Discard the vegetable pieces or reserve for another use. The liquid stock is ready to be used. It can be stored in the fridge for up to three days or frozen in batches for future use.