Beef Broth, Star Anise, Cinnamon Stock

Try this rich nutrient dense bone broth with a hint of Ceylon Cinnamon and Star Anise for fasting and the Keto diet. Ceylon Cinnamon adds a wonderful ever so subtle flavor to the beef and scrubs the taste of Apple Cider Vinegar.

Adding Ceylon Cinnamon and Star Anise also helps get rid of any bacteria and other nasty things in bones. That means we don't have to blanch it, which we feel takes out all the goodness. And we went easy on the Apple Cider Vinegar with just enough to break down the bone and collagen. It worked extremely well in this ratio. A touch of lemon juice can also help breakdown the bones like Apple Cider Vinegar and works well with cinnamon to create a richer flavor.

Bone broth has been touted as the latest greatest health food. That is probably an exaggeration. But a little bone broth from time to time is apparantly good for bone health (has calcium, magnesium and phosphorus), joint health (osteoarthritis) and sleep (due to Glycine). It is good for breaking a fast due to the nutrient density. And because of the fat (gelatin) and it is a great addition for people on a Keto diet as it keeps you satiated for long. We had half a cup and was not hungry for 24 hours. And you can use bone broth for cooking. Sauté vegetables in it, add to meats, cook rice or cauliflower with it and so much more. And scoop up the bone marrow from inside the bone which is a good source of Vitamin K2 that is apparantly good to reduce plaque build up on teeth.

Prep Time : 75 Minutes
Cook Times : 24-30 hours
Yield : 6 cups

INGREDIENTS

2.5 lbs grass fed Beef bones
Carrots (6oz)
1 medium onion (chopped into quarters)
2 Celery stalks cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 head of fresh garlic
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. whole black pepper corn
1 whole star anise
1 three inch Ceylon cinnamon stick
(or 1 tsp Ceylon Cinnamon powder)
1 tbs. Apple cider vinegar
2 tsp. Lemon juice (optional)
8 cups water
3 tsp salt (or to taste)
Tools
Slow cooker
Baking pan or tray

DIRECTIONS

Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Place the bones in a single layer in roasting pan and roast for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes add the carrots, onions, celery and garlic to the pan and roast for another 30 minutes. Roasting vegetables will infuse your bone broth with more flavor.
Add the roasted bones and vegetables to slow cooker. There will be some oil and black residue after roasting. Add that to the slow cooker together with the Apple Cider Vinegar, Ceylon Cinnamon stick, bay leaf, star anise, whole peppercorn and 3 tsp, of salt. Finally add water until the bones are covered. About 8 cups in our case.
Set the slow cooker on low, cover and cook for 24-30 hours until the broth reaches a brown color.
Remove the bones and vegetables with a spoon and strain the remaining broth with a fine mesh sieve. You will notice the bone broth is heavy will oil and collagen. This is the good stuff.
Pour into a bowl and enjoy. Transfer the remaining bone broth into a jar and refrigerate promptly where it will last for about 5 days. You can also freeze the balance and it will apparently last from a few months to a year.

Bone broth resources

The Surprising Truth About Bone Broth
Food Revolution Network, November 9th, 2018
Health Benefits of Bone Broth
Healthline

WHY CEYLON CINNAMON

Unlike ordinary Cassia Cinnamon you find in the stores, Ceylon Cinnamon has low Coumarin levels, so it won't damage your liver, especially if you are a regular Cinnamon tea drinker. Besides Ceylon Cinnamon is mild, yet slightly sweeter. It is not spicy like store bought Cassia Cinnamon, but has hints of cloves and citrus with wonderful subtle aroma.

Ceylon Cinnamon is subtle and adds to create a more complex flavors. You would never know there is Ceylon Cinnamon in this dish, unlike Cassia Cinnamon which tends to be harsh and immediately makes its presence felt and often ruins the recipe.