Smothered Oxtails recipe

Smothered oxtails are a rich and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a hearty dinner. Here’s a simple recipe to make them:

Ingredients:

• 4 pounds oxtails, trimmed of excess fat
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine (optional)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Season the oxtails generously with salt and pepper.
3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Add the oxtails in batches and brown them on all sides, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Transfer the browned oxtails to a plate and set aside.
4. In the same pot, add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and lightly browned.
5. Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
6. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables in the pot and stir to coat evenly. Cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
7. Slowly pour in the beef broth and red wine (if using), stirring constantly to deglaze the bottom of the pot and loosen any browned bits.
8. Return the browned oxtails to the pot. Add the bay leaves, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and paprika. Stir to combine.
9. Cover the pot with a lid and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 3-4 hours, or until the oxtails are tender and falling off the bone.
10. Once the oxtails are cooked, remove the pot from the oven. Skim off any excess fat from the surface of the sauce.
11. Serve the smothered oxtails hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
12. Enjoy your delicious and tender smothered oxtails with your favorite side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.

This dish is sure to impress with its rich and comforting flavors!