Recipes

North African-Spiced Oxtails

October 26, 2023

Reprinted and adapted with permission from Tanya Holland’s California Soul: Recipes from a Culinary Journey West by Tanya Holland, published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Text copyright © 2022 by Tanya Holland. Photographs copyright © 2022 by Aubrie Pick.

Okay, let's be serious here: Oxtails are grown-folk food. They are the most tender, marrow-filled, and juicy meat around. Oxtail is a staple in many African-diaspora communities, especially in the Caribbean and throughout the southern United States. In this recipe, North African spices (Ras el Hanout) add warmth and depth to this succulent meat.

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

3 to 4 pounds oxtails, fat trimmed to 1/4 inch
2 tablespoons Oaktown Spice Shop Ras El Hanout
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 yellow onions, cut into 1-inch dice
3 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch dice
3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch dice
4 peeled garlic cloves
2 cups red wine
3 cups beef broth
1 bay leaf
2 scallions, sliced, for garnishing

Directions

Preheat oven to 350F.

Sprinkle the oxtails generously with salt on both sides. Rub the Ras el Hanout all over both sides of the oxtails. Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the oxtails until golden brown on both sides, in batches if necessary, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove the oxtails and set aside.

Add the onions, celery, carrots and garlic and sauté, stirring until they start to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and deglaze the pan, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the beef broth and bay leaf and return the oxtails to the pan, along with any juices, nestling them into the vegetables. Bring to a simmer, then cover, and place in the oven. Braise until the meat easily pulls from the bone, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

Remove the oxtails from the braising liquid. Strain the liquid and season with salt, if necessary. Serve the oxtails with the strained cooking liquid. Garnish with scallions.

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