Ox-Tail Soup

Ox-Tail Soup is a traditional recipe to strengthen the Kidneys, Lower Back and Bones and Joints in general.
The following recipe is as cooked in the Kitchen, not for medicinal use. However, with herbs added it can easily be made more medicinal.

Ingredients:

          Half an Ox tail, cut into joints
          Carrot, sliced                           1
          Parsnip, sliced                         1
          Onion, sliced                            1
          Butter                                        2 oz.
          Flour                                          3 oz.
          Tomato Puree
          Red Current Jelly                    1 teaspoonful each
          Half a glass of Sherry

Place the Oxtail, Carrots and Onions in a pan, cover with 2 quarts of water, bring to the boil, removing the scum from the top, and simmer 2 hours. Remove the Ox tail and strain; cut the meat from the tail. Melt the butter, add the Flour, then stir in the stock. Bring to the boil, simmer 5 minutes then add the Tomato Puree, Red Current Jelly, Sherry, Chopped Meat, and season with Salt and Pepper. Simmer together for another 5 minutes.

The Chinese prepare an Ox-Tail Soup with Mistleoe Sang Ji Sheng or Eucommia Du Zhong. Both will increase the effect of strengthening the Joints and Lower Back.