Friday 22 April 2011

Dinner

About once a month the Italian Leprechaun and I get together at my cottage and have a BBQ. In South Africa we call it a "Braai", in iziZulu its called "shiza nyama", burn some meat. Must be the most favourite form of entertaining guests among all social and race groups. Last night was our monthly  "shiza nyama". We sit around the BBQ, drink a few beers and proceed to philosophise, discuss theology, and solve the worlds problems.


Due to the weather forecast of a cold front, I decided to make a change. Bought some oxtail at the supermarket and made a braised oxtail stew. Oxtail is tough so it has to cook for a long time. I started cooking it at 11:30 yesterday and we ate after 9pm. So it simmered on the stove for about nine and half hours. Recipe? Well I don't really have a recipe, two large onions, green peper, large, lots of garlic a variety of herbs, a pinch of this and a pinch of that. With it I added two cups of dried beans, and about an hour before we ate I added some small potatoes, and two medium sized sweet potatoes. Even if I must say so myself it came out delicious.


My dogs love the Italian Leprechaun and while his here I virtually get ignored by them. Below are some photos of him and two of my dogs, Thombi and Sissie.



The dark blob on the couch is Sissie, having her back scratched, and Thombi on his lap having her tummy ribbed. Pure bliss.




More of the same with places swapped.


When two bachelors dine there are no frills, it's all about the food. Illumination from the lamp on my fly-tying desk.


Lets eat! Served on brown rice, with wild rice and lentils.

7 comments:

Desiree said...

Looks as though you all had a great time :)

Joyful said...

It looks and sounds like you had a nice time and some great food. I'm currently staying at my nephews and his roommates and we aren't eating like that! In fact they don't cook at all because they are hardly ever here and when they are it is at different times. I'm eating out much more than I do at home.

Desiree said...

I came back to check out the oxtail ingredients again and the length of time you cooked it. It sounded so delicious...I'm really very tempted to try, so I'm going to see if I can buy a tail at P'nP tomorrow. I've never done an oxtail before but I do so enjoy it when I have eaten it out. I like your combination of brown rice with wild rie & lentils. Super healthy & nutritious! :)

Jo said...

Hi Phil, was this partly Mother's recipe that you remember off by heart? Looks delicious even to a vegetarian. I must try it out on Grant. I'm glad we meet the Italian leprechaun! Blessings and love, Jo xxx

Mark Kautz said...

Hi Phillip. Years ago my dad (he did all the cooking) made an Oxtail Stew kind of like you described. Makes my mouth water just remembering. I'm betting yours is delicious.

Mark

Gorges Smythe said...

Now that's my kind of entertaining!

Gaelyn said...

I really enjoyed the camaraderie of the braai but that oxtail soup looks yummy. Mom used to make an oxtail soup but I never see them in the store.