Homemade Golden Vegetable Bouillon Cubes
Making your own vegetable stock concentrates at home is a brilliant way to control sodium and avoid artificial preservatives. These cubes are packed with the essence of fresh herbs and vegetables, providing a rich base for soups, stews, and sauces.
Ingredients
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2 Large carrots, finely grated
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2 Leeks (white and light green parts), finely chopped
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1 Large onion, finely diced
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1/2 Small celeriac or 3 celery stalks, finely chopped
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1 cup Fresh parsley and cilantro, finely chopped
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3 cloves Garlic, minced
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150g Sea salt (acts as a natural preservative for the concentrate)
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1 tsp Turmeric (for that beautiful golden color)
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1 tbsp Olive oil
Instructions
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Sauté the Base: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onions, leeks, and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until they become translucent and fragrant.
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Add the Vegetables: Stir in the grated carrots, celery, and any other finely chopped vegetables. Cook for another 10 minutes on low heat. The goal is to evaporate as much moisture as possible from the vegetables without browning them.
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Season: Add the sea salt and turmeric. Stir well. The salt will draw out more moisture. Continue to cook on very low heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and looks like a dense paste.
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Incorporate Herbs: Stir in the finely chopped fresh parsley and cilantro. Remove the pan from the heat.
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Puree: Use an immersion blender or a food processor to blend the mixture into a completely smooth, thick paste.
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Shape and Freeze: Line a small square container with parchment paper. Spread the paste evenly (about 1–2cm thick). Cover and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight.
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Cut and Store: Once firm, lift the block out of the container and slice it into small cubes. You can wrap individual cubes in foil or store them all together in a glass jar in the freezer.
Note: Because of the high salt content used for preservation, these cubes will not freeze rock-solid, making them easy to scoop or cut directly from the freezer.