Oxtail and Bourbon stew

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This is a variant of a simple Spanish recipe but substitutes a moderate amount of brandy for a generous amount of bourbon, this is a very old and masculine recipe:

Flour and brown 2lbs of oxtail pieces in plenty of olive oil

In a seperate large cast iron pot saute a 6 large cloves of chopped garlic (yep 6), 3 large chopped carrots, 1 large chopped onion and a large chopped leek, brown well

To this add a pint glass of liquid (about 20oz) , half filled with bourbon and half with a dry red wine, simmer intensely for 5 minutes

Next add a pint of warmed and heavily reduced beef stock, if you dont make your own get good store bought one and reduce it with a few beef bones

Add browned oxtail, cover and reduce to a simmer on a very low heat for 2 hours

After 2 hours remove the oxtail and blitz the sauce with a stick blender untill smooth, add oxtail back in and

simmer on a very low heat for a further 2 hours or untill very tender

The sauce should be heavily reduced and almost black

Serve with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes or pasta, whatever you feel like.

Note the recipe doesnt call for additional seasoning or herbs, it relies on the base ingredients to bring everything to the party, the elegence of this dish comes from its simplicity

Edited May 31, 2015 by onemorepour