Moms Oxtail Soup Recipes

OXTAIL SOUP I

Steps:

• Rehydrate dried mushrooms in hot water for 30 to 45 minutes. Drain, and slice.
• Trim all fat off oxtails. Spread on a shallow roasting pan. Roast at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 45 minutes. Drain off fat, reserving about 2 tablespoons.
• Add 1 cup of water to roasting pan in which oxtails were browned. Heat, stirring constantly, to dissolve browned bit. Reserve.
• In a large stock pot, saute onion, carrots, parsnip, mushrooms and turnip in reserved fat until soft, about 10 minutes. Add browned oxtails. Drizzle brandy over the saute. Ignite.
• Pour reserved water and browning over the oxtails and vegetables. Add remaining 5 cups of water. Add savory, bay leaf, barley, salt, and pepper. Bring to boil, and then reduce heat. Cover, and simmer slowly for 2 hours. Adjust seasonings.

MOM'S OXTAIL SOUP

Steps:

• 1. Origins of ox-tail soup It may not be generally known that the familiar ox-tail soup had its origin during the Reign of Terror in Paris in 1793, when many of the nobility were reduced to starvation and absolute beggary. The abatoirs sent their hides fresh to the tanners without removing the tails, and in cleaning them the tails were thrown away. One day one of the noble beggars, while happening to pass a tannery, noticed a pile of discarded tails, and asking for one it was willingly given to him. He took it to his lodging and made what is now famous - the first dish of ox-tail soup. He immediately told his friends of the good luck he had had, with the natural result that the tanners were soon annoyed to such an extent by the demand for ox-tails that a price was put on them.
• 2. Place the oxtails in large pan with water. Bring to boil slowly. Skim the ICK off the top. Turn down to a slimmer. Slightly cover pan and cook the oxtails till almost tender. Add all the vegetables and tomato juice. Add salt and pepper to taste. Continue cooking until the meat is falling off the bones.
• 3. Serve hot with a dab of sour cream on top of soup and with Rye Bread or some warm French Bread. Mom mostly cooked from fresh vegetables, but as time and convenience took over life she started using frozen or canned.

HEARTY OXTAIL SOUP

Steps:

• In a stockpot, saute the oxtails, carrots, onion, celery, leeks and green pepper in butter until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add the tomatoes, bouillon, seasonings and water. Bring to a boil. Skim off any foam. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2-3 hours or until the meat is tender. , Stir in barley; cover and continue to simmer until tender, about 1 hour. Add additional water if necessary. , Remove oxtails; set aside until cool enough to handle. Remove meat from bones; discard bones and cut meat into cubes. Return meat to soup. Garnish with parsley.

OXTAIL SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter, add pieces of tail in a large stockpot.
• When the meat begins to brown, add onion.
• When onion is a deep gold, add stock, carrot, celery, tomatoes, wine and herbs tied securely in a cheesecloth bag.
• Season with remaining ingredients and simmer until meat is very tender, about 3 hours.
• Remove herbs.
• Separate meat of the oxtail from the bones; discard bones.
• Reheat soup and serve with a little of the meat in each bowl.