Season: more or less anytime. A good vegetable bouillon or stock can be the making of many a soup, risotto, or sauce. Preparing your own stock from scratch is easy enough–but it does take a little time, so an instant alternative is often welcome. The choice of vegetable bouillon powders and stock cubes on the market is pretty limited. There are one or two good products, but if you use them frequently, you might find an underlying uniformity creeping into your cooking. This is my solution. Whip up your very own souper mix–a concentrated paste of fresh vegetables simply preserved with salt. It’s quick and easy to make and the stock it produces is delicious. You can use just about any herbs or vegetables you like–the important thing is that they are fresh and taste as vegetable-y as possible. My preferred ingredients are indicated in this recipe, but you could also use young turnips, shallots, celery, rutabagas, beets, or peppers, as well as bay leaves, thyme, lovage, or mint–almost anything, really. Just bear in mind that the character of the stock will vary depending on the ingredients you choose. The following are prepared weights; i.e., the ingredients should be washed, trimmed, and peeled (where necessary).

　　

Ingredients

makes three to four 8-ounce jars

　　9 ounces leek

　　7 ounces fennel

　　7 ounces carrot

　　9 ounces celery root

　　2 ounces sun-dried tomatoes

　　2 or 3 garlic cloves

　　3 1/2 ounces parsley

　　3 1/2 ounces cilantro

　　3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon salt

　　

Step 1

The helping hand of a food processor is essential in this recipe. Simply put all the ingredients into the processor and blend together. The result will be a moist, granular paste. Spoon into sterilized jars (see p. 21) and seal with vinegar-proof lids (see p. 22).

　　

Step 2

Keep one jar of the mix in the fridge–within easy reach for everyday cooking. The rest can be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place. Use within 6 months.

　　

Step 3

To use souper mix, just stir about 1 teaspoon of it into 1 cup of hot water.

　　The River Cottage Preserves Handbook by Pam Corbin.Pam Corbin has been making preserves for as long as she can remember, and for more than twenty years her passion has been her business. Pam and her husband, Hugh, moved to Devon where they bought an old pig farm and converted it into a small jam factory. Using only wholesome, seasonal ingredients, their products soon became firm favorites with jam-lovers the world over. Pam has now hung up her professional wooden spoon but continues to "jam" at home. She also works closely with the River Cottage team, making seasonal goodies using fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers from her own garden, and from the fields and hedgerows.