Stock, of any variety, is a staple to anyone who actually uses their kitchen because it’s a part of many major recipes. It can be used for deglazing vegetables, a base for yummy soups, and of course, it heals anything that may be ailing you (re: Jewish penicillin.)

It takes all of ten minutes to prep, about four hours to cook, and eight to twelve hours to cool. You can freeze it for long periods of time, reheat it whenever you need, and it’s easily adaptable!

Okay, on to the important part.

To start your stock, you need the chicken.

Pro-Tip #1: NEVER use boneless breasts for stock. Bones are what give flavor to everything.

For my stock, I used two chicken thighs and one chunk of random bones that I prefer to not describe or look at. I happen to have access to an amazing butcher that is breaking down chickens all day so it was easy to get these extra parts. If you have a local grocer (not a chain store) or even a specialty butcher shop, you can go in, tell them you’re making stock, and that you need chicken bones, and they’ll probably hand them over for free. You can use all random bones or even a whole roasting chicken if you’re planning to use the meat after.

I am doing this in a slow cooker because I don’t have a large stockpot. Really, it doesn’t matter the vessel, you just want it to be a heavy-bottomed vessel that you can cook in over an extended period of time, and you want it to be at least eight quarts.

Now, for the vegetables. The base of almost any soup or stock on the planet is called mirepoix, otherwise known as onions, celery, and carrots. You can learn about the history of it here if you’d like.

Anyway, give these a quick rough chop, keeping them in fairly large chunks, and toss them in with the chicken, along with a couple whole, peeled garlic cloves. Next, come the spices. I go with salt, whole peppercorns, and a couple bay leaves because I like to keep it simple. There are no measurements for these because it’s up to you.

Remember that the more ingredients you’re putting into the pot, the less water goes in, so there won’t be as much actual stock that gets produced because it all reduces down.

Pro-Tip #2: Go easy on the salt. You can always add salt later but you can never remove it.

Be mindful that this is chicken STOCK, not soup, so you want to make it flavorful, but also mellow so you can use it for many things.

Everything goes into the pot with the chicken and now it’s time for the water. You want to fill up your pot or slow cooker almost to the top but leave room for it to boil. For me, this was 9 cups of water.

And that’s all she wrote, folks! Turn on your pot, put the lid on, bring everything to a boil for a couple minutes, and then let it simmer on low for about 4-5 hours. After it’s done and the chicken is cooked completely through, strain it out and let it cool for about eight to ten hours, or until there’s this nice layer of fat on top. You’ll scoop this off once it’s completely cool and be left with delicious, smooth chicken stock!

Pro-Tip #3: Don’t use your stock until you’ve scooped the fat off the top or it will be really greasy.

How to freeze: You can freeze it in ice cube trays so you can add it to soups or random recipes. I freeze it in plastic, air-tight quart containers, personally, but it’s up to you. When you’re ready to use, just boil it for a couple minutes and voila! I told you it was easy.

Basically, this is chicken soup pared down to its most basic form. Winter is coming and we all know that means the flu is on the way. Having stock handy is great for healing your icky sickness and all you have to do is boil up some chicken and toss it into your already made stock!

INGREDIENTS | Makes about 2 quarts

• 3-4 pieces of chicken, or chunks of bone
• 1 large onion
• 2-3 large carrots
• 3-4 stalks of celery
• 3-4 whole, peeled garlic cloves
• Salt
• Whole black peppercorns
• Bay leaves

RECIPE

1. Place chicken parts in large stockpot or slow cooker.
2. Rough chop onion, carrots and celery. Throw in pot with garlic.
3. Sprinkle in salt, a small pinch of peppercorns and two bay leaves.
4. Pour in water so everything is covered, leaving an inch of room at the top.
5. Bring everything to a boil for a couple minutes, then turn down to low for about 4-5 hours.
6. Strain out. Put meat to the side, if preferred.
7. Chill for 8-10 hours or until everything is cool and a layer of fat has formed at the top.
8. Scoop off fat layer and prepare for freezing or serving.

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You know that theory that the offspring of mixed race couples are the most beautiful? The same applies here, but for, you know, shoes. Not quite a hardcore boot, not quite a dress shoe, Chelsea boots are the amalgam of two of our favorite staples, and a perfect bridge between them. Typically they’ll be above the ankle with either a side zip or stretch fabric. Black is certainly the color of choice here, and steer away from anything with patterns or embellishment. Simple is better.

The Samuel Hubbard 24 Seven is the perfect beginner Chelsea. You can find examples of these boots that are very pointy and feminine, or terrible versions that are mostly a work boot with a side zipper added on for flair. The 24 Seven stays masculine while giving you an easy slip-on and a deep grip pattern in the sole to keep you flat footed and right side up.

In 2023, when it comes to timeless and versatile footwear, you’ll want to explore the best Chelsea boots of the year. If you’re interested in discovering some top recommendations, check out this insightful guide on the best Chelsea boots in 2023 over at Stridewise.com.

Certainly you need your go-to pairs to get you through life. But there’s nothing wrong with expanding you collection a bit and upping your foot game. Besides, the more pairs of shoes you have, the longer they’ll all last. So in a way, NOT buying more is going to cost you more…

The post Why You Need Chelsea Boots appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Every craft cocktail is only as good as the quality of the liquor at the center, and Pinnacle Vodka fits the bill perfectly for this boozy winter centerpiece. On its own Pinnacle is a great Vodka due to its moderate price and extremely high quality, but as the base of the Snow Bunny it is transcendent. To make the Snow Bunny take 2 oz Vodka, 1 oz Coffee Liqueur, ½ oz Creme de Cacao, 2 oz half and half and mix in an ice-filled shaker. Strain into an ice filled glass and you have an exemplary winter cocktail. For a greater effect and a more attractive-looking drink, why not learn how to make your own clear ice? If you want to impress friends, or that special someone, then clear ice can help you do that. The smooth and inviting Pinnacle vodka core is spiced up and made much more substantive by the Coffee Liqueur, giving the cocktail a more complete and deep flavor profile. On the back end the Creme de Cacao adds a bit of accessible silkiness and sweetness that accents the other flavors perfectly as the half and half blends all the flavors together with a hardy creaminess.

The Snow Bunny with Pinnacle Vodka is the perfect cold weather cocktail that should get you and a loved one through any bone-chilling and snow covered night.

The post The Snow Bunny: A Classic Vodka Winter Cocktail appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Start by brewing fresh coffee; I prefer a medium fresh roast brewed extremely hot with a french press, it releases the flavors a bit more well than drip. Take a couple ounces of heavy cream and whip it slightly to get it a bit foamy and aerated, you will add it to the top of the coffee as the very last step. Fill a glass coffee cup about two thirds full with the coffee and stir in a tablespoon of brown sugar and add about a shot of Irish Whiskey, my favorite is Paddy’s but Jameson is great as well and Teachers is not a bad cheap budget option. Finally pour the slighty whipped heavy cream over a spoon to evenly distribute it over the coffee as a type of float, ideally it should form a thick white crown over the coffee and stay separate from the rest of the drink. Sadly in mine from the pictures I did not whip the cream enough and it just distributed within the drink evenly and not on top.

This Irish Coffee recipe results in a perfectly balanced boozy morning drink that wakes you up and gets you feeling warm and toasty for the rest of the morning. So wake up late this weekend, put on some coffee and enjoy a long cold morning looking over the winter wonderland that surrounds you.  

The post Irish Coffee: The Best Way to Start a Lazy Winter Morning appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Out of the bomber Crankenbrew pours the classic pale ale gold brilliantly with a dense pure what head of 1/8th inch foam. The nose opens with distinct coffee notes and noticeable hop profile that augment the sweetness of the malt perfectly adding a new dimension to first impression of this beer. At its base Crankenbrew is superb pale ale that is refreshing with a moderate hop profile and malt sweetness that I have come to expect from any top tier pale ale. The added fresh coffee infusion adds a dimension unmatched by any other beer I have had that makes it beg to be drank during a brunch outing on a frigid winter morning. Crankenbrew is perfectly balanced yet diverse and intriguing, it finishes clean with lingering coffee notes begging to be enjoyed again.

I had a few other winter seasonal bombers from different breweries this season and while they are all very innovative and creative in their own right it was Crankenbrew that stole my heart due to its perfect balance that does not compromise any of its component parts. Be sure to crack one open on a morning you have off and enjoy what I think may be the best breakfast beer you can have.

The post Crankenbrew Coffee Pale Ale: The King of Winter Breakfast Beer appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

To make my favorite winter beer cocktail I filled a stemmed cider glass with ice and added 1 part Canadian Club 100% Rye and topped with 3 parts hard cider, I decided to use ACE Joker Hard Cider. The resulting cocktail is refreshing yet dark and complex; the Canadian Club 100% Rye base creates a satisfying and strong winter drink with notes of vanilla and oak permeating every sip. The added ACE Joker lends a refreshing dryness that accents the more subtle whisky notes while the Champagne Yeast and effervescence really opens up the palate and creates an unmistakable refreshing yet heavy sipping cocktail.

As we we move in to winter and embrace the falling snow and plunging temperatures Canadian Club 100% Rye deserves a spot in the middle of your home bar. It is a versatile and extremely affordable superb Rye whisky that is great on its own for sipping and as the base of your favorite cocktails. Get creative and pair it with your favorite dry cider and you will have a new favorite go to drink.  

The post Canadian Club 100% Rye Whisky and Hard Cider: The New Winter Cocktail appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Tires help you stop when they can actually grip the road – so for the love of all that is holy get proper snow ones. Brakes make your tires actually stop, so you’ll need those first. Fresh wipers assist you in seeing what it is you’re braking in front of. And a solid battery makes sure you’re not stuck in the cold trying to start your car to no avail. These all seem like good things to us.

Many of these items are easy to replace on your own, or any shop such as an ACDelco professional service center can help. ACDelco comes as original equipment for all GM cars, and they can get you winter prepped and on the salty roads in the time it takes you to set up your dating profile on that hot new site you heard about during your office holiday party…

And once it is set up, your new date will be impressed that you are capable of piloting your sweet ride through the winter hellscape while all the other jabronies on the road are sliding around like 2-ton figure skaters. Now THAT is a good first impression…

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of ACDelco. The opinions and text are all mine.

The post Isn’t it about time you prep your car for winterpocolypse? appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

First off, just what the hell is cashmere? You can think of it as sheep wool’s cool foreign cousin. It is finer, lighter, and softer than your typical wool sweater. It has all these superior qualities because it is  not a sheep’s wool at all – cashmere comes from goats. The humble Cashmere Goat produces this fine hair that can be woven into some the best winter sweaters and scarves around.

As long as you are getting real cashmere – and make sure that you are – you’re going to be happy with your purchase. If you want the best of the best however, eschew the overpriced household brands like Gucci and Burberry and instead head over to Kaufmann Mercantile. This online brand has an eclectic and varied mix of products that all feature the same unifying characteristic – they are all best-in-class products built to last a lifetime. You won’t find a sweater here good for only one fashion season. Their cashmere sweaters are meant to be generational purchases. This is the kind of cold weather wear you pass down to your kids.

Say goodbye to heavy wool sweaters this winter and slip into cashmere. You’ll look less like an overgrown bundled up second-grader and be able to haul around less layers. Sure, cashmere is more expensive than cotton or wool, but then an Aston Martin is more expensive than a Toyota.

The post Cashmere Demystified appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

As a brand that has been perfecting their designs for well over a hundred years, Carhartt has ensured their specific lines of outerwear continually improve. The company does many things well, but keeping you dry and warm while wrapped in a highly durable fabric is why they’re regarded so highly amongst tough working individuals. Carhartt has become a brand synonymous with work sites similar to the idea that truck manufacturers attempt to execute in their commercials. In my experience, if you want something that will perform without fail in rugged conditions, reference the attire of the professionals working in those conditions every day rain or shine.

As someone that genuinely enjoys getting my hands dirty, be it yard work or hunting, finding the right jacket for the right season is a difficult decision considering the expansive list of options. Oddly enough, my first Carhartt jacket – the Washed Duck Active – was a rather impulsive purchase driven by the faded memories of adverts while flipping through my grandfather’s monthly hunting magazines that had formed a leaning heap in his barbershop. It’s a brand I trusted without reason, but it’s a brand that has proven its worth. Designed to accommodate additional layers, this quilt-lined jacket works well in varying temperatures aided by elastic knitted cuffs that keep cold out. Season after wintery season, this jacket hasn’t disappointed. It’s become a default choice when heading outdoors. However, Carhartt now has some better options if rain is on the horizon than my Washed Duck Active.

After reading a few positive reviews I had decided that the Carhartt Shoreline would be an ideal lightweight yet waterproof springtime jacket for northern Michigan. More often than not, spring is an inconsistent season requiring the need for a jacket that adapts to all conditions. Several rainstorms have confirmed that the Shoreline jacket easily copes with any level of rain, while keeping your base layer dry for an entire day’s work. Not only does it keep water out, it also allows the body to breathe by letting moisture escape. It’s a combination that works well and looks the part.

There’s a saying that “form follows function,” but in this case, Carhartt has unexpectedly achieved both goals. Not that a work jacket designed to shrug off snow, rain, or rough machinery should be a dull assortment of fabric, but it is inviting when style compliments durability. Carhartt doesn’t replace everyday brands like Patagonia, but it wasn’t intended that way. The role of a dedicated work jacket ready for any assignment is still very much present in the brand. Though the Active Duck and Shoreline jackets fill different roles depending on the season or outdoor task, both perform as years of experience from thousands of hard working individuals have come to expect.

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The Bean Boot saw its first incarnation when Mr. L.L. Bean, feet wet and cold from a hunting trip, commissioned a local cobbler to sew leather uppers to a regular rubber workmen’s boots. No doubt impressed by his answer to the Maine wilderness, L.L.’s brother allowed our favorite shoe pioneer to set up shop in the basement of his apparel shop. One year of artful propaganda passes and every outdoorsman with a modicum of self respect is wearing the “Maine Hunting Shoe.” This is the original Bean Boot, and is still available for sale today. Cue the inevitable, and after explosive sales, L.L.Bean opens its doors officially.

The Bean Boot, in whatever model you were to choose, is made from only the highest quality materials, and is still made exclusively in the U.S. of A. by employees of L.L.Bean. The construction of these boots have never been outsourced or otherwise cheapened. And if that weren’t enough for you, they have just about the best warrantee that you can expect on anything, ever. If your boots ever wear out, break down, tear, or otherwise fail, they are replaced at no cost to yourself.

If you find functionality to be beautiful, then there should already be no doubt in your mind that these are a necessity for your high latitude adventuring, but if you see appearances as more important in a boot, then you should heed my disclaimer. These are not in any way, shape, or form, fashion oriented. That however, is not to say that they are unwearable in social situations. Bean Boots are unique enough to only work with a specific set of clothing, but when worn correctly can tie together an outdoorsy outfit.

Bean Boots are a black and white concept. Either you love them, or you hate them. Even though statistically half of you will think I’m insane for singing such high praises of them, they are perfect for what they are meant to be, that meaning a functional outdoor boot that has eaked out a niche in the world of fashion. Love or hate, this boot deserves the respect that comes with a century of designation and distinction. I know that I’ll be wearing these to survive the frigid tundra that is Upstate New York in winter, and for between one and two hundred dollars, why wouldn’t you want boots to last literally the rest of your life? It L.L. Beats me!

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My personal favorite fall fashion: boots. Whether you like dressier boots, rugged boots, or the iconic Bean Boots, the fall is nothing without boots. You probably remember Bean Boots from your parents or grandparents. Wear these in any weather and your feet will stay dry guaranteed. Wool socks are a must for fall fashion. Perfect for tailgating or a casual fall hike, wool socks will keep your feet nice and toasty. Stock up now for fall and winter and save your toes from the cold.

Fall outerwear is a close second for favorite fall fashion item. Parkas have risen in popularity in the recent years, particularly army green. To add to these, waxed coats from Barbour will last a lifetime. These are quite expensive, but luckily wax coating is cheap. My suggestion is find a military surplus store, grab a parka for cheap and wax it yourself. Plenty of YouTube guides show the step-by-step waxing process and only takes a few hours tops. Chore coats can be perfect for a chilly day as well. Check out our chore coat article for suggestions.

Finally, we have button downs and knitwear. I’ll refer you back to our button down write up for all your button down needs. Knitwear can be tricky with fall fashion because temperatures are often either too warm for knitwear or too cold to only wear knitwear. If you’re anything like me, you hate putting on and taking off all those layers. Cardigans will be your best friend. They’re easy to take off and can be worn with t-shirts or button downs.

Here is your warning! It only gets colder from here. Don’t be behind in your fall fashion. Now is the best time to get geared up for cool weather, hot cider, and layers upon layers. Be comfortable in the cold and enjoy the beautiful colors of fall.

The post Preparing for Fall Fashion appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

This winter has been one for the record books. The northeast has received record amounts of snowfall, parts the south have been incapacitated due to ice and bad planning, and the Great Lakes have frozen solid. With all this perilous weather causing damage, delays and downright misery, it’s good to have Buick’s responsive and impressive 2014 Regal GS AWD at your disposal.

Part of the rock solid feel the Buick maintains in inclement weather, is its front-biased AWD system that constantly calculates changes in road surfaces and also driver inputs. If you’ve ever been nervous the rear’s gonna come around on you, fret not. With the GS’s new Haldex system, only the most barbaric push on the throttle would cause the Buick to oversteer—with the ability of the system to send 90-percent of the power to the rear wheels if front wheels lose traction.

Buick’s Torque Transfer Device (TTD) is the heart of the AWD system by preemptively applying torque and splitting it dependent on what conditions you are driving in by making millisecond adjustments in real-time; and completely seamlessly. Combined with the electronically limited-slip differential (eLSD), which controls both front/rear and side-to-side actions, the GS AWD is impressively suited for ice and snow. Two performance modes, Sport and GS, increase suspension feel and engine mapping with the GS mode taking characteristics a step sportier while also increasing steering feel.

Navigating the 1.4-kilometer ice and snow covered track at Toronto’s ICar complex, the Regal’s driving dynamics begin to expose themselves when pushed to the limit. With an also brand new, 2.0L turbo four-cylinder (borrowed from the Cadillac ATS) the Buick is quick and nimble thanks to a wide torque curve and 24 psi of boost from the 259hp, 295 lb.-ft torque turbo. Long-winded drifts, left-foot braking and modest acceleration left me, to be honest, quite impressed at this outlier in the Buick name. (Granted, I haven’t driven other current Buicks, but based on what I was going into the review expecting, I came out shocked.) The constantly changing conditions of the surface of the track allowed for Buick’s HiPer Strut front suspension to get a workout testing the camber control and impact isolation when trying to realistically put power down in a extremely low-friction environment. I left the Buick in ‘GS’ mode to increase effectiveness of the suspension and also engine mapping.

HiPer strut really helps with the front-biased GS by splitting the steering and suspension functions instead of having the front suspension handle both loads simultaneously, often ending in nasty torque steer. Basically, there’s more of the contact patch of the tire on the road even with side-to-side steering inputs and acceleration: The system is complicated in theory but works flawlessly in execution.

The Buick GS takes a few moments to really digest what you’re looking at, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s a very handsome car with subtle bits of distinction that highlights its passive aggressive demeanor. Certain angles it takes on a 5 Series and others it reminds me of the Pontiac G8, just more svelte. It’s a looker, especially with the optional 20-inch alloys on 255 series tires all around. Subtle touches such as the integrated lip spoiler, hood vents, front fascia inlets and even the—what I would refer to as—black-chrome grille add flair to the once ho-hum brand’s mid-size sedan.

Inside, the new 8-inch configurable gauge cluster adds to the GS’s modern feel by offering two modes: Touring and Sport. Steering wheel controls allow adjustments on the fly: mobile phone, radio, GPS; while also allowing complete control of the optional Adaptive Cruise Control lane departure warning, forward collision alert and following distance indicator. Seats were pretty good, though I wish there was a little bit less inflation on the standard bolster. American cars, particularly GM, often seem to pump air bladders on high into the seats, which can make long drives somewhat uncomfortable: You feel on the edge of your seat most of the time, and that’s not even because of frantic driving by yours truly.

There are some downsides. The touch sensitivity for the climate controls aren’t nearly sensitive enough. I often found myself repeatedly pushing the buttons to make sure it was working. And when driving, you don’t want to have to second guess yourself. Standard hard buttons would work wonders and with the right design wouldn’t look out of place. The price is a bit of a hard pill to swallow at first, but you are getting a lot for the $45,500 price on my tester. For some of the Germans, you’re looking at over $50k for a similarily equipped unit and based on the testing I’ve done with the other brands, Buick stands ground firmly in the technology space. Ride and handling is another thing. Not that the GS is bad, it’s actually very capable, but it’s just not as fine tuned and rock solid as the other competitors.

Granted Buick will have to win over the masses that still might believe Buick is set in their ways. They’ve won me over. They’ve proven that they aren’t sitting still and living in the past where they merely skated along, they are providing worthy cars of the storied Buick name, and in the future the competitors are going to have a tough time outrunning the GS.

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