Hearty Homemade Vegetable Broth

1. Cook Vegetables

Start by heating the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, celery, carrots, scallions, garlic, and salt. Cook these vegetables for about 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and develop a lovely golden brown color. This caramelization process is crucial as it creates a rich, flavorful base for your broth.

2. Add Water and Other Ingredients

Once your vegetables have achieved that beautiful golden brown hue, it's time to add the water, cauliflower florets, chopped tomato, fresh thyme sprigs, bay leaves, and black peppercorns to the pot. Stir gently to combine everything, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it gently simmer for about 1½ hours. This long simmering time allows all the flavors to meld together, giving your broth its hearty and robust taste.

3. Strain Broth

After the broth has simmered and the flavors are fully developed, you'll need to strain it. Carefully pour the broth through a fine-mesh strainer into another pot or large bowl, discarding the solids. This straining step ensures that your broth is smooth and free of any large vegetable pieces.

4. Store Broth

Store your homemade vegetable broth in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze it for later use. This broth can be used as a base for soups, stews, or any recipe that calls for vegetable broth, adding a rich and hearty flavor to your dishes.