Ox Tail Soup

2 lb Ox tails; disjointed or

2 ea Veal tails

1 ea Onion; medium, sliced

2 T Vegetable oil

8 c Water

1 t Salt

4 ea Peppercorns

1/4 c Parsley; chopped

1/2 c Carrots; diced

1 c Celery; diced

1 ea Bay leaf

1/2 c Tomatoes; drained

1 t Thyme; dried, crushed

1 T Unbleached flour

1 T Butter or margarine

1/4 c Madeira

In a 4-quart Dutch Oven brown oxtail and onion in hot oil for several minutes. Add water, salt and peppercorns; simmer uncovered for about 2 hours. Cover and continue to simmer for 3 additional hours. Add

the parsley, carrots, celery, bay leaf, tomatoes, and thyme; continue simmering for 30 minutes longer or until the vegetables are tender. Strain stock and refrigerate for an hour or more. In a blender puree the edible meat and vegetables and reserve. Remove fat from top of stock and reheat. In a large, dry frypan brown flour over high heat. Cool slightly. Add the butter or margarine, blend. A little at a time, add the stock and vegetables. Correct seasoning and add madeira just before serving.