Red braised oxtail

This one is for my friend, who is expecting a bundle of joy next month! Hope you and baby enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 3.5 lbs of oxtail (about 5 pieces, a mix of large and small)
  • 5 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 stalk of green onions, chopped into 2 inch-stalks
  • 2-inch piece of ginger, sliced
  • 6 star anise
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon of Chinese 5-spice powder
  • 6 cloves
  • 3 tablespoons of dark soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of light soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup of rice wine
  • 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
  • salt to taste
  • oil as needed
  • water as needed
  • stir-fry vegetable (optional)

Tips

  • Feel free to improvise by adding more ingredients such as cinnamon, five-spice, or cloves; you can also omit the bay leaf or the dried red pepper. The taste will not vary too much since what gives this dish great flavor is the braising itself!
  • Substitute the turnip with Napa cabbage/cabbage/carrot, and it will taste just as great.
  • Make sure the oxtails are pat dry before cooking for better charring.

Instructions

  • Trim the oxtails to get rid of most of the pure fat around each bone. You’ll still be left with a decent amount of fat once they’re cooked because oxtail is a very fatty meat.
  • Heat oil up in a pan, and brown all sides of the oxtail for about 7 – 10 minutes; set aside.
  • In the same pan, on medium-low heat, put in all of the dry ingredients: garlic, ginger, green onions, star anise, cloves and bay leaf; stir fry until fragrant. Save the Chinese five-spice powder for later.
  • Place the browned oxtail back into the pan.
  • Then add the wet ingredients: soy sauce, rice wine and water; then add the sugar.
  • Turn up the heat and bring to a boil.
  • At this point, turn the heat to low and simmer 3-4 hours.
  • Flip the oxtail every hour and sprinkle the Chinese five-spice powder.
  • About 30 minutes before the oxtail is done, stir fry the vegetables.
  • Garnish with chopped green onions if you have them.
  • Ready to serve!
  • Serve with white or brown rice.

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