How do you cook oxtails in the oven?

Oven-Baked Oxtails: A Delicious and Tender Treat

Oxtails are a delicious and flavorful cut of meat that requires slow cooking to become tender and succulent. Here's a guide to cooking oxtails in the oven:

Ingredients:

* 2-3 pounds oxtails, trimmed and cut into 2-3 inch pieces

* 1 tablespoon olive oil

* 1 large onion, chopped

* 2 cloves garlic, minced

* 1 teaspoon dried thyme

* 1 teaspoon dried rosemary

* 1/2 teaspoon salt

* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

* 1 cup beef broth

* 1/2 cup red wine (optional)

* 1 tablespoon tomato paste

* 1 bay leaf

* 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).

2. Brown: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Brown the oxtails on all sides, working in batches if necessary. Remove the browned oxtails and set aside.

3. Sauté: Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

4. Deglaze: Pour in the beef broth and red wine (if using), scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the tomato paste and bay leaf.

5. Return Oxtails: Return the browned oxtails to the pot.

6. Cover and Bake: Cover the pot tightly with a lid or foil. Bake for 2-3 hours, or until the oxtails are very tender.

7. Check and Adjust: After the first 2 hours, check the oxtails for tenderness. If they're still a bit tough, continue baking for another 30 minutes to an hour.

8. Serve: Remove the oxtails from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and enjoy!

Tips:

* Bone Marrow: Oxtails are known for their rich, flavorful marrow. You can eat the marrow by scooping it out of the bones with a spoon after the oxtails are cooked.

* Gravy: The cooking liquid will thicken into a delicious gravy. You can strain it and serve it over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles.

* Flavor Variations: Experiment with different spices and herbs to customize your oxtail recipe. For example, you could add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a hint of heat, or a tablespoon of brown sugar for a sweet and savory flavor.

* Slow Cooker: You can also cook oxtails in a slow cooker. Follow the same browning instructions, then transfer the oxtails and sauce to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Enjoy your tender and flavorful oven-baked oxtails!