Oxtails

Oxtail soup is a soup made with beef tails. The use of the word "ox" in this context is a legacy of nomenclature; no specialized stock of beef animals are used and tails may come from bovines other than oxen. Different versions of oxtail soup exist: an ethnic dish of the American South which traces its lineage back to the pre-revolutionary war era; Korean; Chinese; a fried/barbecued oxtail combined with a soup variation which is a popular dish in Indonesia, where it is called sop buntut; and a thick, rich, gravy-like soup popular in the United Kingdom since the 18th century. Creole oxtail soup is made from a tomato base with oxtails, potatoes, green beans, corn, mirepoix, garlic, and herbs and spices. Though translated literally as "oxtail soup" , this version of the dish is somewhere between a soup and a stew. One of the defining characteristics of oxtail soup is that it contains a large mass of solid ingredients rather than ingredients that have been diced or shredded, as is the norm with Chinese soup. Chunks of oxtail, potato, carrots, cabbage, tomato, and mushrooms are mixed in water, and salted to taste. The mixture should be heated at a slow boil, to allow time for the ingredients to release their flavors. In particular, the tomatoes and potatoes should largely disintegrate into the water, giving the broth a reddish-orange coloration and thickening it. As to be expected, oils from the oxtail lend most of the flavor. The soup is served with all of the ingredients. In the Hawaii version, the ingredients, preparation, and flavor is very reminiscent of Vietnamese pho broth. The broth has a sweet and subtle flavor of star anise, a common signature of oxtail soup in Hawaii popularized by Kapiolani Coffee Shop. In addition to star anise, common spices include ginger, onions, chen pi (dried citrus peel), peppercorns and bay leaves. Fish sauce or whisky are sometimes added to the broth. Raw peanuts, dried shiitake mushrooms, and mustard cabbage are often stewed with the soup. The soup is garnished with scallions and cilantro, with fresh grated ginger and soy sauce for dipping or as a condiment. Contemporary versions also offer the dish in the form of ramen and pho.

Source: Wikipedia