I get asked quite often why I like to cook. The first reason I give is normally because I like to eat. I am Thai and food is a big factor in our culture. We greet each other with hello followed by 'have you eaten? When guests turn up at your house it's safe to assume that they will expect to be fed.

The second reason is that as I grew up in the Northeastern part of Thailand, the poorest region, food was always hard to come by. We weren't hungry as there was always rice, but it was difficult finding something to go with rice. Now I do have ingredients to go with rice, I want to cook!

Friday, 9 September 2016

Thai Oxtail Soup ซุปหางวัว.


Thai Oxtail Soup ซุปหางวัว.

Popular among Thailand's halal restaurants. I would venture a guess that the soup has been brought to Thailand by earlier immigrants but has now been firmly assimilated. Unlike other mild and delicate flavoured soups, this particular dish follows other famous spicy Thai soups containing fresh Thai herbs and fiery spices. The star anise, cinnamon, potatoes, celery and bay leaves may be what's left of the original recipe.

   The original herb and spices.
-4 bay leaves,
-1 stick cinnamon,
-2 star anise,
-2 stalks celery, 
-2tsp peppercorns.

   Thai herbs and spices.
-100g thinly sliced ginger,
-3 cloves crushed garlic,
-5 sliced shallots,
-8-10 kaffir lime leaves,
-2 stalks sliced lemongrass,
-5 dry chillies,
-2 fresh red chillies.

   Extras.
-350g sliced tomatoes,
-500g potato chunks,
-4 sliced spring onions,
- juice of 1 lime,
-2tbsp chopped coriander leaves.

   Optional Extra.
Crispy fried onions (add crunchy sweetness).

In a large stock pot, place
-1kg Oxtail chunks (trim off excess fat),
-original herb and spices,
-1tbsp sea salt.
-3 litres water.
Bring up to the boil and leave to cook for 1 hour.
(Skim off any impurities)
Drain and reserve the stock.

Place the oxtail back in the pot, alongside the cooking liquid, discard the spices, add
-Thai herbs and spices,
-1 beef stock cube.
Leave to simmer gently until the meat is tender and falling off the bones, around 2 hours.
Add potatoes and tomatoes after 1 1/2 hours of cooking.

   To serve.
Add lime juice (you may not need all of the juice).
Stir through spring onions and coriander.
Spoon into a serving bowl.
Top with crispy onions.

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