Braised Oxtails Over Taters n Vegetables

 

      I have been working with oxtails for several years now and whereas Oxtail Soup was my first, there are many more to try. I have made this recipe before and maybe even have posted it, but it bears repeating.  Delicious.  Contrary to popular belief this meat does not come from oxen, but from tail meat of everyday beef cattle.  Long braising of oxtails makes the meat fall off the bones and creates a rich stock. Oxtails can be tricky to find at times, but if you talk to your butcher that can save lots of effort.  Regardless of appearance, oxtails are very lean, rich, and full of flavor.  A very unappreciated piece of beef.  

      I got mine at Stewart's Meat Market in McKenna, WA on our travels west.  Of course, with most of American Beef this year nothing is inexpensive, $25 for 2 pounds. 

 1 tablespoon olive oil\

 3 1/2 pounds oxtails

 1 medium onion (chopped\

 4 garlic cloves (finely chopped) 

 4 carrots (peeled and cut on diagonal into 1/2-inch pieces) 

 1 (14 to 16-ounce) can tomatoes (chopped) 

3/4 cup chicken broth 

 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

 3/4 teaspoon salt 

1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne) 

 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

      In a non-reactive 5-quart Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat until very hot. Cook oxtails, in batches, until browned, about 5 minutes per batch, using a slotted spoon to transfer oxtails to bowl as they are browned.

Braised for 5 minutes, high heat

       Add onion and garlic to drippings in pan; cook until onion is tender - about 7 minutes. Stir in carrots; then add tomatoes with their juice. Stir in broth, ginger, salt, ground red pepper, and allspice; heat to boiling.  Place into pan with oxtails. 

Ready for the oven

      Cover and place in oven. Bake at 275 F until meat is tender - about 2 hours.  With a slotted spoon, transfer oxtails to warm platter. Skim and discard fat from pot liquid; pour juice over meat and serve. You can serve this over rice, orzo, or potatoes.

Out of the oven

Plated at the dinner table

"Most deadly errors arise from obsolete assumptions"

Frank Herbert

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Settling In, Goldberg Civil Engineering, & Christmas Dinner

      We arrived in Leaky about 10 days before Christmas.  First of all, I forgot the gate keys back in Michigan, but Thank God I made our neighbor a set last summer.  We set up camp, got things inventoried and restocked, and checked out the finished sewer line work.  Barb would have some garden to rebuild as the deer finished their smorgasbord over the summer.  Barb planted the "Hens & Chicks" we brought with us and then added some Hybrid Mexican Metal local cultivars as well.   

      We then called to set up appointments with a plumber to complete the lines and hookup to the cabin bathroom as well as get the new hot water heater hooked up in the cook shack.  We also looked for an estimate to build us a metal shell cover for our RV while here.  Another estimate for a concrete pad on which to set the RV.  We would also buy a new fridge/freezer for the cookshack.  This is just the beginning.  One thing I was not happy about is the septic contractors that did the initial install earlier this summer left the hookups well short at both the cabin and RV hookup.  Oh well, the city saved some $$$ and that entire install cost me nothing.  The plumber we hired will finish up the cabin septic as soon as we pick up a new toilet for the main cabin.  Both estimates are in the final $$$ stage; we're awaiting a quote.  

      For now, I had to build an inclined bridge to span the 40' from RV to the dump line.  This is a VERY LONG dump line for an RV.  The best descent angle for such a long drain is 1/4" per foot.  This equates to 10" from RV to dump.  This is a very important angle for smooth exit flow.  I cut the dump PVC as low as feasible and glued on a new cap.  Then I ran a twine line from RV outlet to the ground entry just to gauge where we stood. Once measured I determined we were pretty darned close on incline.  

New 40' RV Sewer Line run, now just needs level suspended

    Where to go from here? I searched what I had on stock and decided to begin using cinder blocks I had.  I did have to make another trip to town to pick up enough to finish.  I am by no means a craftsman, but this Rube Goldberg effort barely worked.  It's a temporary fix.  The plumbing contractor may be able to remedy this.  Eventually when concrete is poured, and the top shell constructed, our RV pad will be finished.  The final product will become completed within a month.  

Not pretty, but functional

Barb's Mexican Hybrid Succulent Garden    

Christmas lights @ Rotodome Ranch, Leakey, TX 2021

      Dinners along the way included Linguine w/clam sauce, Natchitoches Meat Pies, and Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Salad. 

Sheppard's Pie Twice Baked Potato

 

Natchitoches Meat Pie

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Angel Hair Pasta

     Christmas dinner consists of a baked ham this year, green bean casserole, rolls, and Sweet Tater Oatmeal Pecan Casserole.  I decided to roast the ham this year rather than crockpot, probably because the ham is a bit bigger than I thought.  Of course, it got up to early 90 degrees on Christmas Day, so the RV A/C stayed on for quite a while while the oven was on.  Viva la Tejas! 

Home for the holidays 

Maple Mustard Brown Sugar Ham

Ham, Green Bean Casserole, and Pecan Oatmeal Casserole

      What a wonderful holiday once again in Texas.  We enjoyed several very nice phone calls from kids and grandkids as well as mom (she had snow in Oregon).  Warm temps and good company.  We love our new neighbors as well as the town.  Yes, the deer are back.  I picked up 400 lbs. of Apple Corn and Alfalfa to get started.  They visited the first afternoon.  Besides the trophy our neighbor took, there is one nice Axis buck and another that will be mature probably next year.  The herd is about 30-36 animals.  This is Barb's year.  

NOTE:  ODDLY ENOUGH DURING THE FIRST WEEK THE PRICE OF DIESEL DROPPED $1 A GALLON AT ONE OF THE LOCAL STATIONS TO $2.39.  NO EXPLANATION.  NO WHERE IN ANY NEIGHBORING TOWN IS IT THIS LOW.  I MADE SURE TO GAS THE TRUCK UP EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT USING IT MUCH WHILE HERE.  I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL LAST.  

"From our house to yours, may your holiday season be filled with the love and warmth of family and the cheer we all so deserve"

Rich, Barb, Roux, and The Outlaw Josey Wales Hilts

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Winter Odyssey: Part 2

 

    Leaving Mesa, AZ we headed southeast a mere 113 miles to Tucson.  Enroute, I took advantage of the Blue Beacon Truck Stop Truck Wash in Eloy, AZ and got all the current rig road grunge taken care of for now.  Clean and shiny again in just 15 minutes, $40.  We love Tucson.  More old west atmosphere than Phoenix, but still the SW desert.  It is the home of miles of legendary Saguaro Cactus.  We did hit one SNAFU when we stopped to water up prior to heading out to camp I discovered the fresh water drain plug was not only stuck in the open (drain) position, the knob was broken off.  We always 'boondock' at Snyder Hill on the Ajo Highway about 10 miles west of the South Tucson metro area, but this time we set camp just up the road at Old Ajo Hwy.  These are both BLM land and as such there are no services whatsoever.  Better in and out access and lots of gravel; important with the incoming rain.  We came prepared:  solar power and generator if needed.  However, all we get is bottled water.  FREE

Camp Ajo, Tucson

      We love Tucson as well as the entire area.  Saguaro National Park is always worth a visit as is Old Tucson, where so many westerns were filmed.  The famous USAF Boneyard near Davis Monthan AF Base is worth the tour as well.  www.airplaneboneyards.com/davis-monthan-afb-amarg-airplane-boneyard.htm  Plus, I can get an 'In and Out Burger' here.  DOUBLE DOUBLE PROTEIN STYLE.  That's right, no bread, just the rest.  No carbs, but delicious.  

      We are also here to visit a very good friend from our USAF days, Mark Page.  He and his family live south of town.   Mark and his wife are both USAF retirees, but she is collecting that Civil Service $$$.  Their beautiful daughter is a sophomore at a local high school.  We met at an excellent Mexican Seafood Restaurant for lunch. http://cafevalencia.company.site  I loved the food, the Cameron Culiche was delicious.  If I were to live in Arizona, it would be near Tucson.  After lunch we hit up Camping World for the new freshwater drain valve.  

Rich n Mark Old AWACS Warriors

28 years ago, we were the 'Tip of the Sword' 

      From here we hauled ass east 287 miles to Hatch, NM and the Leasburg Dam State Park.  Great sites at just $14 a day.  Each site comes with a adobe style shaded picnic table, but central dump on the way out.  Located just 20 miles north of Las Cruces, it is also just a few miles south of Hatch, NM. 

Leasburg Dam State Park  Hatch, NM

Shopping

More Shopping

Yeah, even more shopping

      This is the Center of the Known Chile Pepper Universe, heaven for chile pepper lovers.  Miles and miles of fields. 

 

God's Country for Green Chile Pepper lovers

      We did some pepper shopping and stopped for lunch at Sparky's. This is the most eclectic diner you can imagine.  Lots of paraphernalia, 50-60s art deco, and the best damned Green Chile cheeseburger in the solar system.  If you're in the area on the weekends they often host jazz and blues bands each afternoon and evening at their next-door stage.  Home of the Hatch Jazz Festival.  

Sparky's Hatch, NM

The Holy Grail:  NM Green Chile Cheeseburger

      From here we head south to El Paso then on to our winter home in Texas.  299 miles later we pulled into Fort Stockton, TX for an overnight.  This is one of the largest, if not the largest park we've every stayed at.  203 very spacious sites, 94 of which are covered. ftstocktontxrvpark.com  Fair priced at $32 a day.  This will also give me an opportunity to look up and chat with a guide that I am interesting booking with next fall for a javelina hunt.

HUGE  

Fort Stockton RV Resort

      On this leg of the 'Cuisine Trail' I served razor clam strips with slaw, pan seared sablefish, Pitkin County Pork Steaks, Razor Clam Strips, and Bacon Cheeseburger Twice Baked Taters among others.    

Pan Seared Sablefish (Black Cod) w/Ramen and Steamed Broccoli

Bacon Cheeseburger Twice Baked Potatoes

Pitkin County Pork Steaks

      We arrived at Rotodome Ranch in Leakey, TX 15 December.  Good to be back.  By now the highs and lows of diesel prices are a blur, but averaged 12.8 mpg this leg.  Lots of projects to do this winter and only a couple of months to do it.  It is also Barb's turn this year to harvest a nice Axis Deer.  

NOTE:   As always, we were passed by an exponential number of cars and semis this trip, but I was always amazed at the number of Amazon Prime trucks on the road.  We saw at least 20 per day.  Somewhere Jeff Bezos is smiling and drinking his single malt.  

 

"Travel isn't always pretty.  It isn't always comfortable.  Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart.  But that's okay.  The journey changes you; it should change you.  It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body.  You take something with you.  Hopefully, you leave something good behind."  

Anthony Bourdain

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Casa Valencia, Tucson, AZ

      One of those pleasant surprises you sometimes find on the road.  Recently while visiting a good friend from our Air Force days in Tucson we met at a Mexican Restaurant that specializes in seafood.  Three of my favorite things:  friends, Mexican cuisine, and seafood.  We've known Mark Page for 30 years, dating back to our AWACS days in Stan/Eval and fishing the lakes of Oklahoma.  Once a brother, always a brother.  

      When he suggested we meet at this restaurant of course I did my research and discovered an incredible menu.  I have always savored authentic Mexican food for the use of the down home farm flavors including beans, cheese, vegetables (including peppers) and various meats.  I was in San Felipe, Baja a few years back, but did not get to try much of their plentiful seafood.  I fell in love with their street tacos (Al Pastor).  This would be my first foray into this specific corner of the market.  I do love seafood.  The match was easy.   https://casavalencia.company.site/  

       Located on West Valencia Street in South Tucson east of Casino Del Sol they are open 7 days a week.  We would discover why.  

       There is seating for a couple dozen and of course this will depend on when you arrive.  We had lunch here on a Friday and had no problems getting a table.  From my understanding it can be very popular at times and your timing may need to change.  

      Let's get down to it.  We were seated promptly. the waitresses are top notch.  The menu is diverse and yet very much Mexican as well as Seafood.  Salads to appetizers to cocktails to fish to octopus to stews to fajitas to tacos to enchiladas to shrimp and combinations, including children's dishes are available.  Anything is possible.  

       Barb ordered the Shrimp Tacos while Mark and I got the Cameron Culichi.  This is a delightful shrimp coated with Thick, Creamy Medium Spiced Poblano Sauce with SW Crema Drizzle and a delicious seasoned side rice. We also got a big side order of guacamole for all of us to demolish.......delicious.     

Shrimp Tacos

Cameron Culiche 

      We thoroughly enjoyed our meals.  I LOVED the Culiche.  I mean between my tortillas and spoon I cleaned my plate.   Barb said the shrimp was the best she ever had.  The service was great and the total tab for lunch was $60 for three of us. 

       Not only was it good to see one of my best friends, but the meal was so very good.  Times like these come too far in between and it is important to cherish them.  For a fella hailing from the hills of Tennessee Mark has made quite the home here.  We always wish we could stay longer, but Texas and our list of chores awaits.  This visit and meal have been a special treat for us.......easily rated as 5 stars.  WE WILL BE BACK.   

"You think you love seafood and then you try really good Mexican Seafood.  This ain't Taco Bell.  Welcome to the brave new world"  

Rich Hilts

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Winter Odyssey: The Journey to Rotodome Ranch (Part 1)

      Leaving Salem, OR we head south on I-5 for the next leg of our journey.  About 15 miles south of Salem the computer registered a 'fault', turned on the 'check engine' light and reduced engine power.  For the next 30 miles I couldn't drive faster than 45 mph.  We stopped at a rest area and when I got under the hood I unhooked computer harness connecter and reset it.  This is a trick taught me by a service tech a couple of years ago.  When I started the truck again everything was OPS NORMAL for the final 265 miles today.  I didn't order the extra goblins when I ordered my truck, but I've certainly had my share.  It always seems to happen the most in cooler, wet weather.  

      This time of year, winter can arrive at any time and travel can be tricky.  However, the forecast on departure from Oregon was sunny and Indian Summer for the next 6 days.  After crossing Siskiyou Pass we stopped the first night at Weed, CA 307 miles.  Friendly RV Park, we've stayed here before.  Full service hookups at $48 a night, it always provides a spectacular view of Mt. Shasta.   

Mt. Shasta (from Weed, CA)

      This was our decision point.  Depending on whether Donner Pass on I-80 was open or not determined our route from now on.  Weather forecast for the next couple of days is 5 more days of sunshine and 50s.  We pressed on.  Otherwise, we would have to continue much further south close to Los Angeles before we could turn east.  Not fun.  

      Day 2 put us 312 miles over Donner Pass and into Reno.  The trip was smooth with no truck problems other than that two lane roads from Red Bluff, CA to the east through the Sierras to Reno can be long and time consuming.  The weather was a sunny 60-70 degrees.  We did gas up in Weed, CA this morning at $4.89, but the prices continued to increase as we headed south.  Once we steered east into the mountains and resort country on our way to Reno prices were always $5+.  With the exception of traffic into Reno our arrival was pretty effortless.  This town is certainly growing.  

Reno, NV

      We stayed at the Grand Sierra Casino RV Park as we have the past two visits.  This time was a bit of a shock as they added a hefty resort fee and subsequent tax that nearly doubled our stay.  2 nights $163.   We would stay here for 2 days for laundry and a day off.  Hey, we're retired....and pacing ourselves.  Barb hit the casino our first night, finishing up $80.  

      After two days in Reno we headed towards southern Nevada, splitting the difference and staying overnight in Tonopah at 228 miles.  We gassed up just east of Reno at $4.03.  Upon arrival we stayed overnight at Tonopah RV Park;  campground next to their Air BnB cabins.   http://tonopahrv.com  Graveled lot, but hookups and water available for our tank if needed.  Full-service cable TV, WiFi, bathrooms and showers still available.   $37 @ night.  Tonopah, an old west mining town, sits mostly unchanged on a high mountain ridge in the middle of the desert that often has freezing temps at night and as such they close their individual RV site water hookups early.  The showers were great.  

Heading north on US 95, Tonopah is 20 miles straight ahead on that distant ridge 

Tonopah, NV

      Leaving central Nevada, we continued south.  This is very much remote desert with the occasional fence and US Govt. signs, Area 51 country.  We also passed through Beatty, NV experiencing part of the National Wild Donkey protected herd.  They pretty much wander whenever and wherever they want: streets, yards, downtown.  Interesting when driving.  

       We continued through Las Vegas south and stopped.  After 240 miles we boondocked overnight at the Railroad Pass Truck Stop/Casino....FREE.  A couple of years ago they rebuilt the entire facility and lot.  There is now a completely remodeled casino and upper lot; parking for even small RVs.  It also contains the gas station and truck stop.  We camped on the lower lot as I am much bigger and fill an entire semi spot with Barb's Jeep as well.  

       The next morning, we left Las Vegas and continued down US 95 212 miles arriving in Quartzsite, AZ.  We've been here several times before.  A popular destination for 'snowbirds' this area has hundreds of miles of Bureau of Land Management BLM open desert that is available to camp; most free, some have a small surcharge as they offer a central dump/water facility.  Literally a quarter of a million RVers converge on this area in January for the largest RV show in the world.  We dumped and watered up at the Tumbleweed RV Park $20, returning to camp overnight just north of town at Hi Jolly BLM area.... FREE.  SOLAR RULES!  

Hi Jolly BLM Land Camping, just north of Quartzsite, AZ

      From here it is just a short 144 miles into Mesa, AZ. We trucked on in and set up camp at Usery Mountain Park just north of town.  Beautiful setting and a nice park for $32 @ night.  We've stayed before as well and even got our favorite camping spot again.  Lots of cactus for Roux to play in.  This is by far one of our favorite destinations.  We stayed here for 3 nights to refill prescriptions, stock up a few groceries, visit some friends, as well as Grandson #2 who attends Grand Canyon University.  We also took advantage of Discount Tires sale and put new rubber all around the RV.  

Grandma n Zach

Grandpa n Zach

Superstition Mountains Usery Park

At the base of the Superstition Mountains, views w/o fail and 79 degrees

       The menu along the way included Ham Potato Frittata, Eggs Benedict, Chicken Dump Casserole, and General Tso's Chicken to name a few. 

Chicken Dump Casserole

Italian Pasta Frittata 

General Tso's Chicken with Egg Rolls

Bacon Egg Ramen Bowl

      We paid as much as $4.89 for diesel in Weed, CA and as little as $3.61 in Dallas, OR, We did see it at $5.89 in Vidal Junction, CA.  Thank God we didn't need any.  Since Oregon 1300 miles in the bank, but we still have over 900 miles yet to go.  Barb is certainly glad to be out of the mountains.   

  "Because the greatest part of a road trip is not arriving at your destination.  It is all the wild stuff that happens along the way"  Emma Chase

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