We took our daughter back to college yesterday and picked up her Lexus she received for Christmas, that has been waiting at the Toyota dealer in the school’s town. Okay, it was a 2004 Lexus, but hey, we didn’t even know that Toyota made Lexus and were just looking for a Corolla and, boom, the price was right and the car was in good shape with under 100,000 miles. It’s got leather seats and some sort of bizarre red wood inserts around the dash. She is so pleased! Now all she needs is her 40 acres 😀
After we got her settled in her dorm room, we suggested lunch at a Vietnamese Pho shop that we saw on the way to the school. Ole Jade, impatient to see the back of our heads, declined. Probably so that she could take her car out for a spin, loaded with young friends as irresponsible as she is, raring to break laws and speed limits. “Maybe that’s not fair”, said her parents never 😀
Anyway, slightly worried but excited about the Pho, we entered the restaurant. Very nice people, but I have to think that their family’s livelihood and profit was the motive for opening this restaurant. I always think that the most important part of a Pho or any Asian soup is the broth, usually taking time and flavor enhancing ingredients. I hate to think that they just heated up several cans of on sale, off brand, beef broth but it tasted like that. The crunchy vegetable toppings were sparse; 1 tablespoon of bean sprouts, 2 thin leaves of something green and 3 slices of mild jalapeno peppers. The few slices of meat floated dismally and overcooked on the soup’s surface. Disappointed we smiled at the very nice people, told them everything was wonderful and took our lying, unsatisfied faces to the nearby Casino for an hour of mindless fun before heading back home.
So this morning, with cravings unsatisfied from yesterday, I decided to make something Asian. I didn’t make Pho because I, like the restaurant, didn’t have all the necessary ingredients and didn’t want to go to the store. Why should I? There’s always something in the freezer, refrigerator and pantry. I found some oxtails, some baby bok choy and 1/2 pkg of dry soba noodles and 1/2 package of dry udon noodles. Game on! We have got to make a run to New Jersey for French wine and fresh udon noodles!
I modified my Asian Braised Oxtails recipe to create enough sauce to boil the noodles after the oxtails were cooked.
Asian Braised Oxtails II with Noodles
2 1/2-3 lbs oxtails
1/2 cup Tamari soy sauce
1/2 cup sake
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 cups water
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced
12 thin slices of fresh ginger, skin on
4 star anise
3 sticks cinnamon
Peel from one mandarin, cut into strips
1 package of Japanese dried noodles(soba, udon, somen, etc.)
Mix the soy sauce, sake, brown sugar and water together and set aside. Place the oxtails in the bottom of a pressure cooker. Sprinkle the scallions, ginger, star anise, cinnamon sticks and mandarin peel over the oxtails. Pour the soy sauce mixture over all.
Put the top on the pressure cooker and seal well. Put the little bobble thing over the vent in the middle of the pressure cooker top. Turn the gas up to high and when the bobble starts to swing back and forth, decrease the heat until the bobble continues a gentle swing. Cook for 30-35 minutes, remove from flame and set aside until the pressure button, located at the top of the handle, sinks completely to the bottom.
Open the pressure cooker and place the oxtails on a platter. Strain the solids from the sauce and discard. Bring the sauce back to a boil, then add the noodles and cook according to package directions. Remove the cooked noodles and place on a platter with the oxtails. Serve with the oxtail sauce.
Steamed Baby Bok Choy
2 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tsp chili garlic sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp peanut oil
2 tbsp water
6 baby bok choy, stem ends removed and sliced in half vertically
Mix the oyster sauce, chili garlic sauce, sugar, peanut oil and water together well, then set aside.
Steam the bok choy halves in a steamer or wok for 5-6 minutes. Remove the bok choy, place on a platter and drizzle with the oyster sauce.
What a lovely photo (the first one) of a simply yummy looking dish. If you had ‘customers’, they would not have left dissatisfied and hungry!! ; o )
Thank you Cecile. I would hope not!
Oh Pho! Though I’m sure yours was excellent.
Jade’s car sounds fantastic and I’m sure they are like old Cadillacs for engine durability. Expect at least 120,000 miles out of it 🙂
Thank you Mad, how reassuring 🙂
My neighbor bought a used older Lexus with leather seats that get warm under your freezing fanny. I love to ride with her in it when it’s cold out. And the next time it gets cold here in the Blue Ridge I’m going to make Pho. I just have to stock up on some proper noodles et cetera. I’m already wanting it.
Thanks jm. Yes, her seats get warm too 🙂 Make real Pho broth with all the meat/bones and spices required. It’s fiddly but well worth it. https://cookinginsens.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/what-were-having-pho-lunch-tomorrow/
Yes, Ma’am. I love fiddling with broths & make them often for soups & for me & my old, old dog (to make his food softer & tastier). He doesn’t like “store-boughten” stocks much & lets his food just sit there when I use them. Except Rachel Ray’s. I ought ti let her know. I’ll lay in the ingredients & be all ready the next time it’s wintry again. You’ve inspired me. ~Judith
Thank you Judith.
Reblogged this on O LADO ESCURO DA LUA.
Lucky girl. I hope she realizes how lucky she is. My husband and I share a car.
What a super recipe, I love oxtail.
Thank you Nadia. How un-American to share a car 🙂
Reblogged this on Natasha's Book Nook and commented:
The #MustangPrairie girls might love their tacos but this girl loves pretty much all Asian food. And this recipe looks divine!
Thank you Natasha.
I had a Lexus once. It was totally reliable and very comfortable. I would like another. Pity about the Pho. Though, your comfort eating the next day must have made up for the disappointment.
We are completely ignorant when it comes to luxury vehicles. We’ve heard about them but have owned Toyota four wheel drives since 1983. Jade seems happy about the Lexus though.
And so she should be.
I love this recipe, it seems a cinch to make with the pressure cooker!! Will check for oxtail with the butcher tomorrow – not today as he’s closed on Mondays – this is France 🙂 !!
😀
Absolutely love this. Thanks for sharing.