oil • medium carrots, cut into thirds • whole yellow or white onion, unpeeled and quartered • stems celery, cut into thirds • garlic, unpeeled and slightly crushed • piece of ginger root, cut into 5 or 6 slices • unsalted stock (chicken, pork, turkey, beef, veg, or any combination thereof will work) • soy sauce and/or miso • kosher salt • sugar