Oxtail Stew | Rabo Encendido | Made To Order | Chef Zee Cooks

oxtail

🥗Healthier: beef shank

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Chicken thighs provide a similar texture at a lower cost.

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with bouillon cubes

Vegetable broth reduces fat content while still adding flavor.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is more affordable and has a neutral flavor.

bay leaves

🥗Healthier: dried basil

💰Cheaper: oregano

Oregano is a cost-effective herb that adds a similar aromatic quality.

Season oxtails with minced onions, minced peppers, garlic, cumin, chicken bouillon, sazón con achiote, Dominican orégano, Dominican soy sauce, fresh lime, and oil. Mix the oxtails until the seasoning has coated all of the meat. Cover the meat and marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight in the fridge.

Over medium-high heat, warm up large caldero (braising pot). Add olive oil then add the sugar. Once the sugar begins to brown and caramelize, carefully add the oxtails. Brown oxtails evenly on all sides.

Once the oxtails have browned, add 1 cup of water to the bowl that they were marinating in and add them to the oxtails. Let simmer for about 5 minutes.

Once the sauce begins to thicken, add tomato paste. Mix in until well combined. Then add enough water to completely submerge and cover oxtails. Add cilantro (culantro if you can find it) and stew for two hours. Check the oxtails every 10 minutes and add more water if stew dries up.

After two hours, add hot pepper of choice along with 1-2 more cups of water. Continue to stew oxtails for 30 more minutes.

After 30 mins, remove hot pepper and simmer for another 5 minutes or until sauce reaches desired thickness.

In a separate bowl, add 1 tsp of red wine or white distilled vinegar to sliced onions and peppers. Then add onions and peppers to oxtails. Lower the flame to low and cook oxtails stew for another 2 minutes or until onions and pepper reach desired softness. Once the stew is ready, let sit for 10 minutes and serve with your favorite starch such as rice, plantains, or yuca.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary