There are some recipes you never forget.

This is the chicken broth that a grandmother makes when you're little and sick. A big, steaming bowl, with little vermicelli noodles in it, of course.

At Mon Bouillon, this recipe has a special flavor: it was Antoinette’s grandmother—our founder—who used to make her own homemade broths. Today, we’re sharing her little secrets so you can make it at home.

Why Do These Little Secrets Make All the Difference?

A good broth is simple… as long as you follow a few time-honored cooking techniques:

• Lemon juice instead of vinegar. The acidity helps release nutrients from the bones.
• Skim the surface at the beginning. This removes impurities and bitterness.
• Ginger and thyme—then let it simmer for a long time. It’s the time that gives the broth all its depth.
• Strain it in two steps: first through a colander, then through cheesecloth, to get a very clear broth.

The recipe

Ingredients (for about 5 L of water):

• 8 chicken wings
• Filtered water at room temperature
• Juice from 1 lemon
• 2 to 3 celery stalks
• 3 to 4 carrots
• 1 onion
• A piece of ginger
• A sprig of thyme
• A few cloves and some turmeric (optional)
• Salt and pepper
• Small vermicelli, to serve

The steps:

1️⃣ Place the chicken wings in a large pot, cover them with filtered water at room temperature, and add the lemon juice.

2️⃣ Gently bring to a simmer and skim off the foam that forms on the surface at the beginning of cooking.

3️⃣ Add the vegetables, ginger, thyme, cloves, and turmeric (if desired), then let it simmer for a long time over low heat.

4️⃣ Strain in two steps: first through a colander, then through cheesecloth. Season with salt and pepper.

5️⃣ Cook the small vermicelli directly in the hot broth, then serve.

The little extra

Save the chicken wings! Once you've strained the broth, shred the meat and add it to the bowl—or to a salad the next day. Nothing goes to waste.

A broth that’s good for the body… and warms the heart. And for those days when you don’t have time to let it simmer, Mon Bouillon chicken broth is here, ready to heat up.