Oxtail Stew

Prep: 30 mins to 1 Hr
Cook: Over 2 Hrs
Serves: 5 to 6

Ingredients

• 1.3kg / 3lb oxtail cut into chunky pieces (Dolwen Farm Shop will do this for you)
• 3 tbsp plain flour & salt and black pepper
• 3 to 4 tbsp sunflower oil
• 2 medium onions sliced & 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
• 2 medium carrots diced & 2 celery stalks diced
• 4 to 5 sprigs fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried thyme) & 2 bay leaves
• 300ml / ½pint red wine & 500ml / 18fl oz beef stock
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, to serve (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to Gas 2.
2. Wash the oxtail pieces and pat dry with kitchen paper. Trim off as much excess fat as possible. Put the flour in a freezer bag and season well with salt and pepper. Put half the oxtail pieces into the seasoned flour toss well to coat then put aside on a plate. Repeat with the remaining oxtail pieces.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large non stick frying pan. Brown the oxtail over a medium heat for about 10 mins turning every now and then until dark brown all over. You may need to add extra oil if the pan looks dry at any point during the browning step. Put the browned oxtail into a flameproof casserole dish (You may need to do this in batches).
4. Return the frying pan to a low heat & add the onions garlic carrots & celery. Add a little extra oil if necessary. Cook gently for 10 mins or until softened and lightly browned stirring occasionally.
5. Tip the vegetables on top of the beef and add the thyme and bay leaves. Stir in the wine beef stock and tomato purée. Season with salt & pepper put the casserole on the heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover the casserole dish with a lid and cook in the centre of the oven for 3 Hrs. Stir after 1½ Hrs turning the oxtail in the sauce.
6. After 3 Hrs the meat should be falling off the bones and the sauce should be thick. Remove the casserole dish from the oven and transfer the oxtail pieces to a plate set aside and keep warm.
7. Skim any fat that has pooled on the surface of the sauce.
8. Divide the oxtail pieces between the warmed plates and spoon over the sauce. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley (if using) & serve with mashed potato and fresh vegetables.