- 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 31/4 pounds meaty oxtails (about seven 3-inch segments), patted dry
- 10 cups water
- 5 14 1/2-ounce cans beef broth
- 3 cups dry red wine
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 2 medium leeks (white and pale green parts only), chopped
- 3 medium carrots, peeled, very finely chopped
- 2 medium parsnips, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 large russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Sprinkle oxtails with salt and pepper. Add oxtails to pot and brown on all sides, about 20 minutes. Add 10 cups water, beef broth and 2 cups wine. Bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover partially and simmer gently until meat is tender, stirring occasionally, about 3 hours.
- Using tongs, transfer oxtails to large bowl. Carefully pour cooking liquid into 8-cup glass measuring cup or large bowl. Freeze cooking liquid until fat separates from liquid, about 45 minutes. Spoon fat from top of cooking liquid. Remove meat from oxtails; discard bones. Add meat to cooking liquid. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
- Heat 3 tablespoons oil in same pot over medium-high heat. Add onions, leeks, carrots, parsnips, garlic, thyme and bay leaf. Sauté until vegetables are golden, about 12 minutes. Add cooking liquid with meat and remaining 1 cup wine. Bring to boil. Add potatoes. Cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
- Add parsley to soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls.