Linda's Oxtail and Barley Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 pounds oxtails
• 8 cups water
• 4 tablespoons beef bouillon granules
• 1 tablespoon sazon seasoning with annatto
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 3 cloves garlic , minced
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 can diced tomatoes , 14.5 ounce
• 0.75 cups barley
• 2 medium potatoes , cubed
• 1 large parsnip , sliced
• 1 large onion , chopped
• 2 stalks celery , chopped
• 1 large carrot , sliced
• 12 mushrooms , quartered
• 2 bays leaves

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat oil in a heavy frying pan over medium-high heat. Add oxtails and sauté until browned all over, about 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.

2. 2

   Transfer oxtails to a large Dutch oven or soup pot. Add water, bouillon, sazón, parsley, garlic, and pepper; bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 1 hour. Add more water if necessary.

3. 3

   Remove oxtails to a plate to cool. Use a spoon or gravy separator to skim grease off the surface of the soup. Alternatively, pour broth into a bowl or pitcher and refrigerate until grease solidifies. Remove solid grease from the surface with a spoon, then pour broth back into the pot.

4. 4

   Add diced tomatoes and barley to the pot. Stir in potatoes, parsnip, onion, celery, carrot, mushrooms, and bay leaves; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.

5. 5

   While the vegetables are cooking, cut as much meat as possible from oxtail bones. Chop meat into bite-sized pieces. Add meat and bones back to soup. Simmer for 20 more minutes.

6. 6

   Remove bones and bay leaves from soup before serving.