Ingredients
- SERVES 4
- 1 kg oxtail of beef
- 3 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 carrots, peeled and cut into bite size chunks
- 2/3 bottle red wine
- 1 onion, diced small
- 200g plum tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced thinly
- 2 large strips of orange zest
- 2 fresh bay leaves
- 1 Tbsp flour (optional)
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
OXTAIL STEW
Method
- Preheat the oven to 150 C Heat a heavy-based fry pan over high heat, add the oil and brown the meat on all sides
- You may need to do this in batches as you don’t want to overcrowd the pan
- Remove from the pan, lower the heat and add the vegetables allowing them to colour slightly
- Sprinkle over the flour if using and coat all the vegetables
- Return the meat back to the pan along with any juices, add the wine and tomatoes, stir well to combine
- Add the herbs, orange zest and seasoning
- Cover and cook gently for 3 hours
- Do check it regularly as it may need a stir from time to time
- During this time the sauce will reduce and intensify and the meat will start to fall apart
- If this hasn’t occurred yet return it back to the oven and cook gently until this stage happens as it is vital that the meat and connective tissue is meltingly tender
Comments
Whether you are making a brown stew, casserole or braising larger cuts of meat the principals are all the same. You need a good heavy pot or casserole dish - preferably with a lid. You need to have a selection of good quality vegetables such as celery, onion, carrots and leeks. A few sprigs of the more aromatic harder herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage with a few fresh bay leaves and a good quality stock and patience! It is worth the wait.
Thanks to Leckies Butchers for providing the oxtail used in the demonstration.
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