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Recipe for Chicken or Beef Stock

Short-cooked meat stock of pasture-raised chicken or grass-grazed beef is the foundation for all of our postpartum soups and stews. It is an essential ingredient for postpartum healing and recovery due to its ability to supply collagen and other important nutrients and minerals. For more on why we choose meat stock over bone broth, see our blog post Meat Stock vs. Bone Broth: Is there a difference?

 

Ingredients

  • 2-3 pounds pasture-raised chicken or grass-grazed beef, including meat and bones with lots of connective tissue—feet, knuckles, necks, backs, etc.)
  • 1 TBSP organic apple cider vinegar
  • 4 cups roughly chopped organic carrots, onions, and celery (or scraps)
  • 2 organic bay leaves
  • 1/2 TSP peppercorns
  • 1 TSP sea salt
  • Filtered water

Instructions

  • If making beef stock, lay out meat and bones in one layer on a large baking sheet. Bake in for 30 minutes at 400-degrees F, or until golden brown. Roasting the bones develops rich, long-cooked flavor and lends a dark golden color.
  • In a large soup pan or Dutch oven, place the meat and bones, apple cider vinegar, carrots, onions, celery, bay leaves, peppercorns, and salt.
  • Fill the pot with filtered water until it covers the meat and bones by about an inch.
  • Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce to a low simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours for chicken or 3 hours for beef. 
  • Reserve meat for other recipes, if desired.
  • Let the stock cool for 1-2 hours, then strain through a colander. 
  • Pour stock into glass jars. If you plan to freeze it, leave 2 inches at the top for the broth to expand.
  • You can skim the fat off the top or, after cooled to room temperature, let the fat layer solidify in the fridge before removing it. Allow the jar to cool to room temperature before storing in the refrigerator or freezer.
  • Store in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    FAQs

    Have more questions about Ritual Meals? View our frequently asked questions below.

    • What is Ritual Meals?

      Ritual Meals is a postpartum meal delivery service. Our signature postpartum meal delivery product is The Postpartum Program, which includes meals, snacks, and teas shipped weekly to your doorstep. Customers receive orders with all the fresh meals, snacks, and teas you need to enjoy nourishing postpartum food prepared by our chefs. We save you the time and energy of going to the grocery store, finding new recipes, meal planning, and portioning.

      Our talented chefs work with our Wellness Team to create new menus each week for you, based on what’s seasonally available from our community of local farms and ranches. We use the highest quality ingredients which are organic or pesticide free produce and grass-fed or pasture-raised animals.

    • What are the benefits of postpartum food and Ritual Meals?

      We understand that, as a new mom, you've got one of the hardest jobs in the world—so we created The Postpartum Program to help you heal and feel your best after giving birth. Our postpartum meals are nutritionally designed to support your physical recovery, energy levels, hormonal balance, milk supply and quality, and mood. At Ritual Meals, we are serious about supporting your postpartum nourishment and postpartum wellness journey. Everything we cook is made with the highest quality, whole food ingredients, good for you and your baby, whether or not you are breastfeeding.

      Our postpartum nutrition philosophy is focused on food as medicine.

      Our postpartum meals include both plated food and soups and stews which are more easily digestible and improve absorption of essential minerals and vitamins that the body needs to repair, restore, and fortify after birth or surgery. Grass-fed and pasture-raised animal stock are the base of all of our soups and stews, supplying essential nutrients, lean protein, and collagen to boost energy, support and heal connective tissues, and support healthy metabolism.

      If you are breastfeeding, our postpartum meals can provide measurable benefits for your milk supply and quality. Our postpartum meals often include galactagogues (ingredients which support milk supply and quality), including flax seeds, oats, tahini, brewer’s yeast, and more. We also avoid ingredients that could be associated with colic or sensitivities for breastfed babies, including cruciferous vegetables, garlic, and hot peppers.

      * This program is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. We recommend that you consult with your doctor prior to starting this program if you have a medical condition or are taking any prescription medication or nutritional supplements.

    • How much does Ritual Meals Cost?

      The Postpartum Program at Ritual Meals is priced starting at $176 per week. Meal frequency per week can be customized, which changes the cost of the program. As well, if you opted into our Subscription option, you can save up to 10% each week and receive free delivery with promo code FREESHIPPING.  Customize your postpartum plan to view prices.

    • What kinds of ingredients does Ritual Meals use?

      All meals are made to order and made from scratch with the highest quality ingredients. We prioritize local and organic produce and use only meat sourced from local farms that sustainably and humanely raise their animals. Our animals are always grass-fed or pasture-raised. Our produce is plant rich, organic or pesticide-free, low gluten, no refined sugars, and non-GMO.

      Organic or pesticide-free, whole, unprocessed foods are both more nutritive and more flavorful. We thoughtfully pair ingredients based on complementary benefits. For example, these pairings—lentils and red bell pepper, sesame and salmon, pasture-raised eggs and leafy greens, and chicken and quinoa—allow you to absorb more nutrients and experience their healing benefits.

    • What if I have allergy or dietary needs?

      Due to the small size of our culinary team, we are currently unable to offer substitutions in our menus, which are set weekly. To receive weekly email notifications about our upcoming menus which lists our full ingredients, please subscribe to our newsletter below.

      Please note: our Postpartum Program is not intended for severe allergies. If you have any questions about how we can support your dietary needs, please reach out to our Wellness Team at info@ritualmeals.com

    • How do you keep food fresh in transit? What if I am not home?

      We pack the postpartum meals fresh with care using 100% recyclable, insulated boxes and drain safe gel packs designed to keep your food refrigerated on the way to your doorstep.

      We understand that when it comes to birth, timing may not always happen according to plan. We highly recommend recruiting the help of a friend, neighbor, or family member so that if you aren’t able to get to your food when it arrives at your doorstep, they can help you store it in the fridge until you're ready to enjoy them.

      The delivery driver should leave the package for you at your door with no signature required. We package our postpartum meals in 100% recyclable insulated liners with drain-safe gel packs, so that your food stays refrigerated in transit. If you have any concerns with the temperature or condition of your meals once delivered, please contact our Wellness Team at info@ritualmeals.com.

    • Where does Ritual Meals deliver?

      We ship across the continental US to your doorstep! If you have any additional questions, you can contact our Wellness Team at info@ritualmeals.com.

    • How do I get started with Ritual Meals?

      You can get started by selecting your program options on the Postpartum Program page

      If you would like any help choosing a program that works best for you, please email our Wellness Team at info@ritualmeals.com and we’d be happy to help!


    Nourish your body. Thrive postpartum

    Before your actual delivery, plan your postpartum meal delivery.

    Plan Ahead
    Postpartum Meal Delivery
    Women-owned Business
    Women-Owned

    Founded and created by two women of color, our goal is to create more opportunities to other women.

    Locally Sourced
    Locally Sourced

    We source as locally as possible from our community of local farms and ranches.

    Whole Foods
    Whole Foods

    We commit to using organic or pesticide-free, 100% whole food ingredients in all our products.

    Sustainably Made
    Sustainably Made

    We commit to environmental responsibilty through our low waste practices both inside and outside of the kitchen.

    Gives Back
    Gives Back

    We donate 2% of our sales to organizations that support and empower women or work to reduce food insecurity.