MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06 Title: Shellfish Stock Categories: Stocks Yield: 4 Quarts 1 tb Canola oil 2 qt Lobster; shrimp, and/or crab -shells 3 oz Tomato paste 1 lg Yellow or white onion; -peeled and coarsely chopped 2 Carrots; peeled and coarsely -chopped 2 Celery ribs; peeled and -coarsely chopped 4 Fresh thyme sprigs 4 Fresh parsley sprigs 3 Bay leaves 1 ts Whole black peppercorns Preheat the oven to 425°F. Oil a roasting or sheet pan and add the shells. Toss the shells with the tomato paste to coat them as evenly as possible. Roast in the oven for about 15 minutes, taking care not to let them brown or scorch, which will turn your stock into bitter garbage. Transfer the roasted shells to a large, heavy-bottom stockpot, along with the tomato paste, vegetables, aromatics, and cover by 2" with cold water. Bring to a simmer and calibrate the heat so that the pot bubbles lightly but does not boil. Use a ladle to skim off and discard the foam and scum that rises to the surface; you may find yourself doing several rounds of this in the first 30 to 40 minutes. Once the foam and scum slows, let the stock simmer for at least 6 hours. Do not stir the stock as it simmers; this will only muddy the proverbial waters. Remove the pot from the heat. Remove as many large shell pieces as you can, using tongs, and discard them. Set up a sieve over a large bowl--you may need to recruit a helper for this part, as you do not want to slip and lose everything you have just worked for--and carefully strain the stock, either by pouring it or ladling it through the sieve. Repeat the straining process a few times, until yu are satisfied with the clarity of your stock. Transfer the stock carefully to storage containers, and chill in the refrigerator. Store for up to 4 days in the refrigerator, and up to 3 months in the freezer. MMMMM