Mandela Day Oxtail

Recipe by: Boitumelo ‘ChewMe’ Mogoai
Serves: 4-6
Prep time: 15 min
Cooking time: 1-2 hours

INGREDIENTS

1-1/4 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
1kg oxtail
2 to 3 tbsp cooking oil
1 large onion, chopped (about 1 ½ cups)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ tin chopped tomatoes
1 cup quality beef stock
1 ½ cup apple juice
1/3 cup pitted dried plums (prunes), coarsely chopped
salt to taste
optional -1 tablespoon honey
2 medium Fuji or Gala apples, peeled and cut into small cubes
 
METHOD
Mix salt, cinnamon, pepper and allspice; sprinkle over beef and toss to coat. In a medium pot, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat.

Brown meat in batches, adding more oil as necessary. Once all batches are browned, remove beef with tongs or a slotted spoon from the pot and set aside.

Into the same pot, Add onion and cook while stirring until tender, about 6-8 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute longer.

Stir in chopped tomatoes, stock, apple juice and prunes. Return beef to pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 1 ½ hours.

Add apples and continue cooking covered, until oxtail and apples are tender, about 30-45 minutes. Skim fat, if any.

Serve with umnqusho. Enjoy!