"Savor the Richness: The Ultimate Slow Cooker Oxtail Recipe You Can't Miss"

Welcome back to the Simple Recipe Box podcast! I’m your host, Ben Harper, and today we're diving into a comforting classic that’s perfect for any slow cooker enthusiast: Oxtail. That’s right, we’re going to prepare an incredibly tender and flavorful oxtail dish that practically cooks itself, leaving your kitchen smelling like a gourmet restaurant.

So, why oxtail? Well, not only is it rich in flavor, but it’s also wonderfully versatile and perfect for those busy days. You just set it in the morning and by dinner, you have a mouthwatering meal ready to go.

Let’s start with what you’ll need for this ultimate slow cooker oxtail recipe. Grab 2 pounds of oxtail, cut into chunks, a large onion, two cloves of garlic, a cup each of beef broth and red wine for a savory cooking liquid, two tablespoons of tomato paste, a tablespoon of olive oil, and for the herbs, a teaspoon each of dried thyme and rosemary. Don’t forget salt and pepper for seasoning, and a little flour and butter to thicken the sauce later on.

First up, heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the oxtail pieces until they’re nicely caramelized. This not only locks in the flavors but also gives the meat a fantastic texture. Once browned, transfer these to your slow cooker.

In the same skillet, toss in the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they soften. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute to deepen the flavors. Then, add this mix to the slow cooker with the oxtail.

Pour in your beef broth and red wine, then sprinkle over your thyme and rosemary, adding a bit of salt and pepper. Give everything a good stir to combine the ingredients well. Set your slow cooker on low for about 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. The slow cooking process is key to making the meat perfectly tender.

When your oxtail is ready, remove it from the cooker and strain the cooking liquids. Reserve about a cup of this liquid. Mix a tablespoon of flour with a bit of the liquid to create a slurry, then gradually incorporate the rest of the liquid until smooth. Return the oxtail to your slow cooker, stir in the flour mixture, and cook on high for another 30 minutes to thicken up that delicious sauce.

Serve your oxtail with something that can soak up all that rich gravy, like mashed potatoes or steamed rice. And there you have it—a delicious, hearty meal that’s as satisfying to eat as it was effortless to make.

Remember, oxtail even tastes better the next day as the flavors meld, so don’t worry about leftovers. Just store them in an airtight container in the fridge, and you’re set for another amazing meal.

That’s all for today’s episode. I hope you’re as excited as I am to try this recipe. It’s a game-changer for any slow cooker collection. Thanks for tuning in, and happy cooking, everyone!

For the full recipe, click here.