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📝 Description
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🥘 Ingredients
2 ox-tails, 1 onion, 3 cloves, 1 blade of mace, 1 teaspoonful of whole black pepper, 1 teaspoonful of allspice, 1/2 a teaspoonful of salt, a small bunch of savoury herbs, thickening of butter and flour, 1 tablespoonful of lemon-juice, 1 tablespoonful of mushroom ketchup.
👨🍳 Method
Divide the tails at the joints, wash, and put them into a stewpan with sufficient water to cover them, and set them on the fire; when the water boils, remove the scum, and add the onion cut into rings, the spice, seasoning, and herbs. Cover the stewpan closely, and let the tails simmer very gently until tender, which will be in about 2-1/2 hours. Take them out, make a thickening of butter and flour, add it to the gravy, and let it boil for 1/4 hour. Strain it through a sieve into a saucepan, put back the tails, add the lemon-juice and ketchup; let the whole just boil up, and serve. Garnish with croûtons or sippets of toasted bread.
📜 From Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management (1861). Public domain.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
I tried stewing ox-tails this week, and it was a journey back in time to a slower, more patient era of cooking. I found the process soothing, like a warm embrace from a dear friend. The kitchen filled with an aroma that was both comforting and exotic, thanks to the mace and allspice. The ox-tails, once tough and unyielding, transformed into tender, melt-in-your-mouth morsels after a gentle 2 and a half hour simmer. I loved how the lemon juice and mushroom ketchup brightened the rich, savory gravy at the end. It was a delightful surprise — the tangy kick cut through the depth of flavor, making each spoonful exciting. This recipe is perfect for the weeknight cook who wants to unwind after a long day. The active time is minimal, leaving plenty of room for relaxation while the ox-tails stew away. I served it with some crusty bread for dipping in the gravy, and it was pure comfort. The next time I have a few hours to spare and crave some old-fashioned warmth, I'll be making this again.
