Forum archives » General Discussion » Ox Tails

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biped
July 20, 2006 8:35 PM

My neighbor's wife works at Wal-Mart, and she brought home some ox tails from the deli, and they gave me a bag of them. I've never eaten ox tails--I don't know what the hell to do with them. All I know about cooking meat is broiling it. Can you broil ox tails? Or what? How do you cook ox tails?

I know you're all funny, but I need a serious answer.

Post #228646link

BigFrank105
July 20, 2006 8:40 PM

I think you should kick your neighbor's ass for giving you a bag of ox tails.

Post #228647link

biped
July 20, 2006 9:00 PM

Well, the thing is, it's food. So I need to know how to cook it, so I can eat it. Because food is good.

Post #228648link

mandingo
July 20, 2006 11:47 PM

oxtail soup seems pretty popular but braised oxtail sounds better to me

Post #228654link

User #57041
July 21, 2006 1:17 AM

Serious Answer...

Oxtails with Gravy

"This recipe was my mom's. It's a soul food blast from the past. I adjust spices to my personal taste (I love lots of spices). Double the gravy recipe if you like lots of gravy. My family loves this dish served with rice."
Original recipe yield: 6 servings.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 3 Hours 30 Minutes
Ready In: 3 Hours 40 Minutes
Servings: 6 (change)

INGREDIENTS:

* 2 pounds beef oxtail
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1 onion, chopped
* 1 tablespoon salt
* 1 teaspoon pepper
* 1 tablespoon Greek seasoning
* 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
*
* 2 tablespoons bacon drippings or shortening
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 2 cups broth from cooked oxtails
* 2 dashes browning sauce
* salt and pepper to taste
* garlic powder to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place oxtails, garlic, onions, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, Greek seasoning, and seasoning salt in a large stock pot. Fill with enough water to cover oxtails, and place over high heat. Bring to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Remove from heat, and reserve 2 cups broth.
2. Warm bacon drippings in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in flour, and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in broth and browning sauce. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook, stirring constantly, until gravy thickens. Remove from heat.
3. Place oxtails in skillet, and stir to coat with gravy. Return to stove, and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Note:

The salt content shown in the nutrition information reflects the large amount of salt added to the cooking liquid, most of which is discarded.

http://maindish.allrecipes.com/az/89612.asp

Enjoy!

Post #228660link

boorite
July 21, 2006 1:56 AM

Grugh spoink. I would make pho, a Vietnamese soup.

Post #228661link

AngryAmerican
July 21, 2006 4:31 AM

you can also make them like short ribs. boil em for an hour or two and BBQ the fuckers with spices and whatnot.
mmmmmmmmmmmmm......oxtails..........

Post #228662link

Zaster
July 21, 2006 5:57 AM

You can also trade them for some real food, if you can convince someone that that they are magical and that hanging them above the doorway will bring good fortune upon a household.

Post #228663link

biped
July 21, 2006 6:23 AM

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Fieryarrow, I appreciate the detailed recipe but it's too complicated for me as I don't keep most of those ingredients around.

I usually just broil everything. Can you broil ox tails?

Post #228664link

matclarke
July 21, 2006 8:29 AM

canned ham

Post #228668link

mmyers
July 21, 2006 8:57 AM

The Foreman grill. That's what you need. You can Foreman grill anything.

Post #228671link

Trace
July 21, 2006 9:06 AM

quote:
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Fieryarrow, I appreciate the detailed recipe but it's too complicated for me as I don't keep most of those ingredients around.

I usually just broil everything. Can you broil ox tails?



Is broiling grilling something? If so, then no you can't broil them. Ox tails need long, slow cooking in liquid, usually gravy or they get really tough.

Post #228673link

matclarke
July 21, 2006 9:58 AM

potted meat

Post #228674link

biped
July 21, 2006 10:18 AM

quote:
Is broiling grilling something? If so, then no you can't broil them. Ox tails need long, slow cooking in liquid, usually gravy or they get really tough.

Thanks. Broiling is cooking it in the oven on "broil" (top part heats only) on a slotted broiling pan. That's how I always cook round steak and hamburgers and stuff.

I'm looking for the easiest way to cook these things but it looks like I'm going to have to get complicated if I'm going to eat them.

Post #228677link

matclarke
July 21, 2006 10:32 AM

canned ham

Post #228679link

AngryAmerican
July 21, 2006 10:53 AM

you can broil them for sure biped, but if you don't boil them first in some salted water, they'll broil up tough and dry.
and you wouldn't want to ruin some yummy ox tails that way would you?

Post #228681link

biped
July 21, 2006 11:01 AM

So I can broil them if I boil them first? Good. How long should I boil them? Thanks.

Who’s in Chris Walken’s Kitchen? He Is! And He Wants to Feed You

Post #228682link

matclarke
July 21, 2006 11:19 AM

curred meats

Post #228683link

boorite
July 21, 2006 1:28 PM

NO

WE DO NOT "BOIL" MEATS

WE DO NOT BROIL OXTAILS!

Basic any kinda soup, adapted for oxtails:

Get a pot of water and boil it.

Put the oxtails in.

Put in some chopped celery, coarsely chopped carrots, a whole peeled onion, and if you feel like having potatoes in there, some potato chunks or baby potatoes.

Bring it back to a boil.

While it's coming back to a boil, throw in a good bit of salt, some whole peppercorns, and 2-4 dried bay leaves.

Optional, any or all of: 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne; sprig fresh rosemary, thyme, sage tied together-- this is called "bouquet garni" by the Damn French and it adds a lot and is usually sold in a decent supermarket produce section in a little plastic herb package.

As soon as it boils, reduce it all the way back down to a simmer, where bubbles just break the surface. You do not want to sit there boiling the living crap out of it.

Simmer LOW for an hour or two, depending on your patience, preferably 2. While it simmers, now and then, skim off any foam or grease that comes to the top. Taste to make sure you have the right amount of salt and cayenne.

If you didn't want potatoes but you want some starch in there, you can throw in some pasta (not much or it will cease to be soup) near the end, bring it back to a boil, then reduce again to simmer til the pasta is done.

Or you can serve it over rice, or by itself, or whatever.

Mushrooms? Fresh or canned, you can throw those in at the end.

Serve and finish with none or any or all of: red wine vinegar, dill weed, cilantro, chives, chopped scallion, or whatever.

That's basic soup.

Oxtails must not be broiled or otherwise cooked with dry-heat methods.

Post #228689link

boorite
July 21, 2006 1:31 PM

BTW, I meant taste the soup, not the foam or grease you skim off.

What I described here is easy as getting hit by a UPS truck, and it will make people think you're a chef.

Post #228690link

boorite
July 21, 2006 1:37 PM

quote:
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Fieryarrow, I appreciate the detailed recipe but it's too complicated for me as I don't keep most of those ingredients around.


WE CALL IT A SUPERMARKET

btw wtf is browning sauce

Post #228692link

AngryAmerican
July 21, 2006 2:03 PM

quote:
quote:
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Fieryarrow, I appreciate the detailed recipe but it's too complicated for me as I don't keep most of those ingredients around.


WE CALL IT A SUPERMARKET

btw wtf is browning sauce



Kitchen Bouquet. it basically does exactly what it says. it gives soups/sauces a hearty brown color, but adds no flavor. just aesthetic.....

Post #228701link

matclarke
July 21, 2006 2:11 PM

vienna sausage

Post #228704link

biped
July 21, 2006 2:38 PM

quote:
WE CALL IT A SUPERMARKET


I can't afford all that extra stuff. I'm a good cook, but I only make the most simple (cheapest) things possible these days.

Thanks for the recipe. I hope it will work if I only put potatoes in it and not all that other stuff.

Post #228706link

LuckyGuess
July 21, 2006 2:44 PM

quote:
You can also trade them for some real food, if you can convince someone that that they are magical and that hanging them above the doorway will bring good fortune upon a household.


You could also say that if you plant them then a magical oxtailstalk will rise into the clouds, wherein you can find a golden goose or a gameboy or something like that.

Now for serious: The only time I've ever eaten oxtail was in an incredibly simple soup with potatoes and carrots. I'm guessing that having just potatoes in the soup works just as well, but I'm not really sure.

Post #228707link

boorite
July 21, 2006 2:44 PM

quote:
quote:
WE CALL IT A SUPERMARKET


I can't afford all that extra stuff. I'm a good cook, but I only make the most simple (cheapest) things possible these days.

Thanks for the recipe. I hope it will work if I only put potatoes in it and not all that other stuff.



WHAT EXTRA STUFF

THESE ARE STAPLES

QUIT WHINING MAGGOT AND GET TO A GODDAMN SAFEWAY

20 PUSHUPS

Post #228708link

boorite
July 21, 2006 2:47 PM

But seriously, you're completely insane if you don't put at least celery, carrots, and bay leaves in there.

What the hell is in your fridge and cupboards anyway?

I'm going to be sorry I asked, aren't I?

"Extra stuff." Sigh...

Post #228710link

biped
July 21, 2006 2:57 PM

quote:
What the hell is in your fridge and cupboards anyway?


Fridge: milk, beer, wieners, baloney, onions, bread, potatoes, jalepenos, pickles, margerine, cheese, tortillas, hot sauce

Cupboards: chili w/beans, blackeyed peas, spinach, rice, tuna, potato mix, mashed potatoes, vermicelli, spaghetti sauce, Lipton Sides, macaroni and cheese, coffee, popcorn, mustard, ketchup, garlic powder, chili powder, lemon/pepper salt, salt, pepper

Post #228711link

boorite
July 21, 2006 3:05 PM

quote:
Now for serious: The only time I've ever eaten oxtail was in an incredibly simple soup with potatoes and carrots. I'm guessing that having just potatoes in the soup works just as well, but I'm not really sure.

No, you need carrots and celery and bay leaf (and of course salt and black pepper), at least, to lift the flavor out of the Meat Zone, which is sort of a greezy, gamey, lame-ass flavor.

The simple act of throwing in whole peppercorns and tying a damn string around a few sprigs of prepackaged-for-your-convenience fresh herbs from the supermarket and throwing that in the pot turns it into something sublime.

I mean really, what's in people's pantries? Fritos? Pop Tarts? Jesus.

Post #228712link

boorite
July 21, 2006 3:07 PM

quote:
quote:
What the hell is in your fridge and cupboards anyway?


Fridge: milk, beer, wieners, baloney, onions, bread, potatoes, jalepenos, pickles, margerine, cheese, tortillas, hot sauce

Cupboards: chili w/beans, blackeyed peas, spinach, rice, tuna, potato mix, mashed potatoes, vermicelli, spaghetti sauce, Lipton Sides, macaroni and cheese, coffee, popcorn, mustard, ketchup, garlic powder, chili powder, lemon/pepper salt, salt, pepper



Oh yeah, the onion is absolutely essential.

You live in the middle of Kitchen Sahara.

Post #228714link

biped
July 21, 2006 3:11 PM

I make lots of brilliantly clever recipes with those simple ingredients.

Post #228715link

LuckyGuess
July 21, 2006 3:12 PM

quote:
I mean really, what's in people's pantries? Fritos? Pop Tarts? Jesus.

Interestingly, Jesus is in my pantry.

Post #228716link

boorite
July 21, 2006 3:15 PM

quote:
I make lots of brilliantly clever recipes with those simple ingredients.

Like milk-simmered weiners encrusted in coffee grounds?

Post #228717link

biped
July 21, 2006 3:20 PM

quote:
Like milk-simmered weiners encrusted in coffee grounds?

See, now you're just being facetious.

Post #228718link

boorite
July 21, 2006 3:24 PM

quote:
quote:
Like milk-simmered weiners encrusted in coffee grounds?

See, now you're just being facetious.



You're right. No one would make that without mangoes.

Post #228719link

biped
July 21, 2006 3:30 PM

Well, it looks like I'm probably going to make oxtail and potato soup with onions, jalepenos, blackeyed peas, garlic powder, chili powder, lemon/pepper salt, pepper, and salt.

Post #228722link

ivytheplant
July 21, 2006 3:33 PM

Spice and herb staples for cooking:

> Salt
> Pepper (preferably whole...it's like $2 for a disposable grinder with peppercorns)
> Oregano
> Basil
> Thyme
> Bay leaves
> Parsley
> Cayenne

Other seasoning staples:

> Worcestershire sauce
> Soy sauce
> Bullion
> Lemon juice
> Olive oil
> Canned cream soup
> Bourbon

Vegetables essential to have around:

> Onion
> Carrot
> Celery
> Bell Pepper
> Canned tomatoes
> Potato
> Frozen corn
> Frozen peas/broccoli

Basic staples:

> Spaghetti
> Rice
> Linguine
> Pasta shells or spirals
> Flour (flour + water = bread)
> Sugar

Non-essential, but you'll regret not having them:

> Rosemary
> Lime juice
> Marjoram
> Sesame oil
> Cilantro
> Ginger
> White pepper
> Peanuts
> Vanilla extract
> Orange peel
> Sage
> Cinnamon
> Dill weed

Post #228723link

boorite
July 21, 2006 3:37 PM

Red wine vinegar too. (Ivy doesn't use it.)

We keep boxes of stock or broth around too, now that there are decent brands and not just Swanson. And various canned tomato products.

Post #228724link

biped
July 21, 2006 3:42 PM

The thing is, though, that I don't ever need most of that stuff unless someone gives me some ox tails or something.

Post #228726link

boorite
July 21, 2006 3:44 PM

quote:
The thing is, though, that I don't ever need most of that stuff unless someone gives me some ox tails or something.

So now you need them. Go get them or we will hate your fucking guts forever. I swear to God we will track you down and make you beg for death.

Post #228728link

biped
July 21, 2006 3:50 PM

Nah, I'm not gonna get all that stuff just to make ox tails one time.

Post #228729link

boorite
July 21, 2006 3:52 PM

Actually, simmering the oxtails on LOW for several hours in a bunch of blackeyed peas, with a little extra liquid and the whole onion, isn't a terrible idea. Bay leaf would be just about essential though.

Still might hunt you down for torture.

Post #228730link

biped
July 21, 2006 3:58 PM

I may be able to find a bay leaf stuck to the back of the cabinet behind some old stuff that's been in there for about fifteen years.

Post #228732link

boorite
July 21, 2006 4:04 PM

Or you could... you know... go to... the store?

Post #228733link

biped
July 21, 2006 4:20 PM

For a bay leaf?

Post #228736link

ivytheplant
July 21, 2006 4:27 PM

quote:
I may be able to find a bay leaf stuck to the back of the cabinet behind some old stuff that's been in there for about fifteen years.

That's how anyone even has bay leaves. My mother found some in the cupboard of the park housing she lived in when she and dad got married and has had it ever since. My dad doesn't know where his came from but it looks like it has been around since the 80's. Grandma has about 6 bottles of them, which isn't surprising since the house is only a year older than she is. And I got my bay leaves from my great aunt's spice cabinet that I inheirited. All original spices included from the 1960's. Along with a bottle of MSG.

No one buys bay leaves. They just appear out of nowhere when you least expect it. It's a rule of the universe.

And I'm telling you, those essential spices are essential. You'll be glad of having them. It's amazing what lemon juice and dill weed can do to macaroni and cheese. It's like a whole new dish. And sesame oil, ginger, and peanuts can make ramen edible.

All the essentials do is make basic boring stuff edible. If it wasn't for onion, pepper, and worcestershire sauce, burgers would be blech. For lunch I had canned chicken noodle soup and added pepper, lemon, parsley, and thyme and for once canned soup didn't taste like ass.

It's not like we're saying you need to start making crab-stuffed chicken breast smothered in sun-dried tomato and parmesean alfredo sauce with red potatoes roasted in rosemary and olive oil or anything.

By the way, that's what I'm cooking for supper tonight.

Post #228738link

biped
July 21, 2006 4:31 PM

I used to keep more of that kind of stuff around when I cooked for other people, but I don't get into the "joy of cooking" thing when I'm just cooking for myself.

Post #228740link

User #57041
July 21, 2006 4:43 PM

quote:
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Fieryarrow, I appreciate the detailed recipe but it's too complicated for me as I don't keep most of those ingredients around.

I usually just broil everything. Can you broil ox tails?



lol..I was being serious because the thought of eating oxtails is just to blarrrgh for me..as the world's worst cook, I'm the wrong person to ask about broiling oxtails..I roasted silverside!!! :D

Post #228743link

boorite
July 21, 2006 4:53 PM

quote:
I used to keep more of that kind of stuff around when I cooked for other people, but I don't get into the "joy of cooking" thing when I'm just cooking for myself.

But what about your... I don't know the right term... huge hairy Uzbeki weightlifter who brutalizes you in the ass?

Post #228745link

LuckyGuess
July 21, 2006 4:59 PM

I found Jesus in my pantry. Instead of a universal rule, that's covered by the California state constitution. (Art. 9 Paragraph 6 Under "Deities in the Pantry")

Post #228747link

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