Cooking Oxtails Novels & Stories

I don’t have the strength to argue, so I nod quietly. She brings me a bowl of hunter’s broth, thick and steaming. It's made from the marrow of pig bones, slow-cooked and marinated in a blend of herbs and spices that used to fill the castle kitchen with warmth. It’s served with a generous helping of rice. I eat slowly, trying not to gag, but the queasiness sets in halfway through.

It was weekend and Ophelia had left as she usually did. I was the only one at home. I went to the kitchen, made my way into the refrigerator and take out the food she had made this morning. I took it to the stove. where I was supposed to heat it up. It was tomato sauce, chicken sauce, some fried noodles, coupled with some fruits. I took the fruits and keep them on the kitchen island for them to dissolve so that it will be good for consumption. After heating up everything, I left it inside the pot.

He saw that she had braised a large pot of meat last night. There were internal organs, beef, chicken feet, pig trotters, everything. Gabrielle glanced at him indifferently and chuckled. "Didn't you dislike eating these things before? You ate caviar and high-end foods. These are the most common braised meats from the market. My grandmother taught me how to make them. The process makes a lot of smell, so I wouldn't make it when you were home. But now that I've left your mansion, I can make it in my own house."

She simply agreed. "Going back, listen carefully. Place both of the rice in a bowl, cover with cold water, and set aside to soak. Place the chicken in a large saucepan or stockpot and cover with 2.5 liters (85 fl oz / 10 cups) water. Bring to the boil over medium heat, skimming any scum from the surface, then reduce the heat to low–medium and simmer for 40 minutes, or until the juices run clear when the thickest part of the thigh is pierced with a knife. Remove the chicken from the stock and set it aside to cool slightly; reserve the stock."

There were shrimps, fish, meat, and Dolly was treating her as though she was in confinement after giving birth as there were many ingredients. Xavia took out the ingredients and cleaned them one by one before she began cooking. She completed cooking three dishes and one soup half an hour later. There was bean curd and crucian carp soup that was as white as milk, fragrant and spicy shrimps cooked in a pot, tender fried meat with ginger, and fresh and green sauteed vegetables. Each of these dishes had a beautiful color, and they were all extremely fragrant. Although these dishes were very common and ordinary, they were all filled with the warmth of a home.

"Yes, Aunt Elena. Now go back to work." Elena laughed and went back to her desk. She left at noon to go and check on the roast. She seared it to seal in the juices and then put it in the roasting pan. She added about a quart of water, beef bouillon, chopped celery, minced onion, sage, and a little crushed garlic to round out the flavor. She quartered some potatoes and added a few handfuls of baby carrots. She covered it and set it in the oven to slow cook for the rest of the afternoon. She used the hot skillet to sear the steaks and ate them almost raw, using just enough heat to make them warmer than room temperature. When she got back to the office, Steve and Faith were waiting for her.

A sincere and confused smile curled on my lips as I adjusted closer to the pot filled with bubbling soup. Reaching for the spatula with my trembling hands and tasted the soup. The extremely rich flavours danced on my tongue again. As the rich soup slid down my throat, "Hmm, this soup has Provençal tomatoes, freshly harvested onions and celery, and fresh oxtails." Miss Sophie looked surprised. I timidly continued, "But..." "What? It's alright, dear, just speak your mind." Miss Sophie's voice became gentler wanting to know what my thoughts were about the soup.