Homemade Oxtail Soup

Name: Homemade Oxtail Soup
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 3 h 30 min
Total time: 3 h 55 min
Cuisine: American, Caribbean, Korean
Ingredients: 2 pounds oxtail (cut into 1 to 1 1/2-inch chunks and trimmed of excess fat); 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons beef drippings or cooking oil; 2 medium yellow onions (peeled and minced); 2 quarts water, or 6 cups water and 1-pint beef broth or bouillon; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 teaspoons salt; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper; 1 bay leaf; 1/2 teaspoon thyme; 3 cloves; 2 sprigs fresh parsley; 2 medium carrots (peeled and diced); 1 stalk celery (diced); Optional: 1/3 cup dry sherry or port wine