There are many reasons I love working with bone. I was vegetarian for 15 years and when I decided to incorporate meat back into my diet, I knew that I wanted to do it with respect for the life that I was taking and in alignment with my beliefs about sustainability. Part of that for me is learning to use as many parts of the animal as I can, including the bones.
Bones are powerful. You are alive today because somewhere down the line of your genetic history there you had an ancient ancestor that learned how to fashion bone into looks like spear tips, needles, and fishing hooks. Bones have also been used for ceremonial and religious reasons since ancient times. During the Shang Dynasty (1046-226 BCE) in China, fortune tellers used ox bones and turtle shells to predict the future, a practice older than the I-Ching. Many ancient cultures associated bones with life and the ability to give life, such as the Christian creation story where Eve was born from a bone in Adams body. When we use bones, we invoke this ancient ancestral energy and survival instinct.
Different bones are associated with different magical properties. Chickens feet are often associated with protection, and backs/necks associated with strength and willingness to stand up for your beliefs (like the phrase “putting your neck on the line”).
Herbs and spices are also a must for bone broth, and I love an herbaceous broth. Not only does it taste fantastic, but it gives an additional opportunity to imbue the broth with magical and immunity boosting properties. Heading into Winter 2020 good health and protection is on my mind quite a bit! I want to have something that will warm me up, make me feel like I’m getting a cozy hug, boost my resistance to sickness, and strengthen my spirit against depression and as I start my journey into my winter shadow work. This recipe is meant to invoke all of qualities and desires.
Ingredients and their magical properties
One pound of chicken backs and one pound of feet
1 Onion and 2 cloves of garlic: for their immunity boosting properties, as well as the grounding energy that comes from plants that grow under/close to the soil.
2 Carrots: add a touch of sweetness, and grounding energy as well.
Couple Stalks Chinese Celery from my garden: I associate celery with strength because of the thickness and sturdiness of the stalks. In particular I think of it as building emotional strength because celery to me is associated with the element water, which in turn represents our emotional selves.
Half a bunch of Cilantro from the farmers market and dried Coriander seeds from my garden: Coriander seeds are from cilantro I grew in my tiny backyard garden. I let most of it bloom, and waited for those blooms to turn into bright green fresh coriander seeds which I then dried. I added these to invoke a little prosperity, and to honor the cycle of life and the changing of the seasons.
Bay leaves: for luck and prosperity
Black pepper and spicy peppers: to keep the fire alive as it cools down outside. We each have a fire in our belly, the fire of our creative and spiritual life. Spicy foods help to maintain and raise that fire.
Fennel Seeds: Fennel has a very rich magical history, and has been used by many different cultures. When Zeus took fire from mankind Prometheus stole it back and carried it in a fennel stem. It is also versatile and can be used for protection, initiation rites, strength, and love among other uses. For this recipe my intention it to use it for its protective and strengthening qualities.
Salt for protection, and to enhance and meld the magical properties of all the other ingredients. Check out my previous blog post for more info on salt magic.
Instructions
The instructions are simple: combine all ingredients, water and simmer 6-8 hours. I set mine up for 8 hours in a slow cooker. To enhance the flavor, you can roast your bones in the oven at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes before adding them in. Afterwards remove from heat and let it cool down until its cool enough to handle (but not cold). Pour through a metal sieve or a colander draped with a cheesecloth to separate the solids from the broth. Compost the solids. Pour the broth into jars and fridge.
Because of the gelatin in the bones, this broth will take on a jelly consistency in the fridge. In medieval times this was actually used as a method of preservation, so it will last in the fridge for a long time.
The fat will also rise to the top. Wait until the next day and scrape off the fat and keep it in another jar to use in cooking like you would butter or bacon grease.
What is your favorite bone broth recipe? Let me know in the comments!