G: TLDR: Add onion, celery,
carrot, garlic, herbs, and peppercorns — simmer about 45 min to
make a good vegetable stock base.
Core Stock Add-Ins
Since you already have asparagus stalks and
leek greens, add:
- 1 large onion (quartered; skin on for color)
- 2–3 celery ribs (with leaves if you have them)
- 1–2 carrots (rough chop)
- 4–6 garlic cloves (crushed)
- 1–2 bay leaves
- ½ tsp black peppercorns
- A few sprigs of parsley or thyme (or both)
- Optional: a few dried mushrooms for umami
Quick Method
- Rough-chop everything.
- Sauté onion, carrot, and celery in a little oil until lightly
browned.
- Add your asparagus and leeks plus about 8 cups (2 L)
water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered ~45 min.
- Strain; discard solids.
Notes
- Avoid starchy vegetables (potatoes, pumpkin) and cruciferous ones
(broccoli, cabbage) — they muddy the flavor.
- If you want a green-flavored stock, add spinach
stems or parsley stems near the end and simmer only 10 min more.