A stock is a flavoured liquid base for making a sauce, stew or braised dish. Made by simmering beef, chicken or fish with vegetables, aromatic ingredients and water.

Vegetable stock is made exclusively with vegetables such as leeks, carrot, onion, mushrooms, garlic and herbs.

Fresh stocks, stock cubes and powders can be bought from most supermarkets, but Woolworths' organic liquid stock is superior.

There are many varieties but the main ingredients of stock cubes and stock powders are herbs and spices, yeast extract, caramel, sugar, salt, onion, celery, fat and monosodium glutamate (MSG).

If you want to avoid MSG, check the product ingredients before you buy, because there are some powders and cubes without it.

Stock cubes and powders are good to use when there's no time to make fresh stock but be cautious with your seasoning because they can be quite salty.