Broth & everyday meals
Five easy bone broth meals for the days that run away from us
Some days, the evening arrives before you have thought about dinner. There is rice in the cupboard, a few vegetables in the fridge and people to feed. A pouch of broth can help you begin with what you already have.
1. A bowl of congee before the day begins
Start with your usual congee method and replace some of the water with chicken or beef broth. Add more liquid as the rice softens, until the consistency feels right to you. There is no need to turn breakfast into a complicated project.
Top with fully cooked egg, tofu or cooked shredded chicken, then add greens and a little ginger if you enjoy it. Taste the broth before reaching for salt or soy sauce. A few familiar ingredients can make the bowl feel like yours.
2. Noodles with whatever greens you have
Prepare the noodles according to their packet, and warm the broth according to its label. Add vegetables that cook quickly, such as sliced cabbage or leafy greens. Use fully cooked meat or tofu, or cook any raw additions thoroughly before serving.
A squeeze of lime, sliced spring onion or a small amount of chilli can change the direction of the same bowl. Keep toppings simple on a busy day; one fresh finishing touch may be enough.
3. Rice that carries a little more flavour
Use broth for part of the liquid in your familiar rice recipe, keeping the total liquid suited to the rice and cooking method. A 240 ml pouch is a measured ingredient, rather than a complete rice-cooker recipe on its own.
Serve alongside vegetables and a protein, or let the rice become part of tomorrow’s lunch if it is cooled and stored safely. Our storage article explains why cooked rice needs particular care.
4. A small pot of vegetable soup
Let the vegetables lead. Start with carrots, cabbage, mushrooms or whatever suits your household, then add broth and extra water as your recipe needs. Cut harder vegetables smaller or add them earlier so everything finishes cooking together.
For a fuller meal, add beans or lentils if you tolerate them, or serve with bread and an egg. You do not need a perfectly stocked fridge. A few ingredients, used with care, can be enough to get dinner started.