Ingredients

1. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2. 4 medium celery ribs, thinly sliced crosswise
3. 2 medium onions, thinly sliced crosswise
4. 2 medium carrots, thinly sliced crosswise
5. 2 bay leaves
6. 6 to 8 thyme sprigs
7. 1/4 cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
8. 2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
9. 4 pounds nonoily fish bones, heads and trimmings, rinsed well
10. 1/4 cup dry white wine
11. 6 cups very hot tap water
12. Sea salt

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the celery, onions, carrots, bay leaves, thyme, parsley and peppercorns to the saucepan and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in the fish bones, heads and trimmings and the wine. Cover and cook, stirring once, until the bones turn completely white, about 15 minutes.
2. Add the hot water, stir gently and bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir once and let stand for 10 minutes. Strain the stock through a fine sieve. Season lightly with salt and let cool, then refrigerate.

Make Ahead

The stock can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen in an airtight container for 1 month.