Shrimp Stock: Liquid Gold from the Sea for Seafood!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs (900g) shrimp shells and heads, rinsed thoroughly
• 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped
• 2 carrots, roughly chopped
• 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 cup (120ml) dry white wine (optional)
• 8 cups (2 liters) cold water
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp black peppercorns
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Pinch of salt