Ask Kenji Anything: Tools, Woks, Knives, Stew, and Smoke Detectors (a.k.a. “Cooking Detectors”)
Ask Kenji Anything: Tools, Woks, Knives, Stew, and Smoke Detectors (a.k.a. “Cooking Detectors”) is a medium American recipe that serves 8. 80 calories per serving. Recipe by J. Kenji López-Alt on YouTube.
Prep: 15 min | Cook: 5 hrs 30 min | Total: 6 hrs 15 min
Cost: $15.90 total, $1.99 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 lb Pork Shoulder Bones (bones with some meat attached, cut into 2‑3 inch pieces)
- 2 pieces Pork Trotters (cleaned and trimmed)
- 1 large Onion (quartered)
- 2 large Carrots (cut into 2‑inch chunks)
- 2 stalks Celery Stalks (cut into 2‑inch chunks)
- 4 cloves Garlic Cloves (crushed)
- 2 leaves Bay Leaf
- 1 tbsp Black Peppercorns (whole)
- 12 cups Water (cold, preferably filtered)
Instructions
Roast Bones and Vegetables
Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange pork shoulder bones, trotters, onion quarters, carrot chunks, and celery on a roasting pan and roast, turning once, until deeply browned, about 30 minutes.
Time: PT45M
Temperature: 425°F
Transfer to Pot and Add Water
Using tongs, transfer the roasted bones and vegetables to a large stockpot. Add 12 cups cold water.
Time: PT5M
Bring to Simmer and Skim
Heat over medium‑high until just simmering, then reduce to low. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
Time: PT10M
Add Aromatics
Add bay leaves, whole peppercorns, and crushed garlic to the pot.
Time: PT2M
Long Simmer
Maintain a gentle simmer for 5 to 6 hours, partially covered. Add water if the level drops too low.
Time: PT5H
Strain Stock
Remove bones and vegetables with tongs, then strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve into a clean container. Press solids to extract remaining liquid.
Time: PT10M
Cool and Store
Cool the stock quickly by placing the container in an ice bath, then refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Time: PT15M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 80
- Protein
- 8 g
- Carbohydrates
- 2 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Fiber
- 0 g
Dietary info: Gluten-Free, Paleo, Keto
Last updated: April 6, 2026






