A Masterclass in Slow-Cooked Gastronomy
An Elegant Recipe for the Home Kitchen
An Elegant Recipe for the Home Kitchen
Essential Ingredients for the Stew
500g premium oxtail
1/2 leek
1 medium to large potato1 carrot
1 white onion
1 red pepper
1 ripe tomato
6 cloves of garlic
1 mild red chilli
A few sprigs of your favourite fresh herbs
2 tbsp premium soy sauce
2 tbsp caster sugar
1 tbsp Korean chilli paste (gochujang), adjusted to taste as it offers a spicy, salty, and slightly sweet profile. Use sparingly initially.
Sea salt and cracked black pepper
Step-by-Step Cooking Method
Begin by washing and thoroughly patting the oxtail dry. Season it lightly, then carefully sear all sides over a medium heat until it develops a beautiful golden-brown crust.
Pour in just enough water to generously cover the meat; alternatively, use a high-quality chicken or beef stock for a richer, deeper flavour. Bring the liquid to a rapid boil before reducing the heat, then cover and allow it to simmer gently for two hours.
While the meat gently tenderises, chop the prepared vegetables into rustic, chunky pieces and set them aside.
After two hours, take a separate pan and gently sweat the fresh herbs, garlic, and chilli in a splash of oil to release their natural aromas. Gradually introduce the vegetables in sequence: the onion, carrot, leek, pepper, and finally the tomato. Cook this mixture down until the tomato softens and reduces beautifully, then transfer everything into the main stewing pot. The potato can also be added directly without prior searing.
Incorporate the soy sauce and sugar, finishing with a spoonful of the Korean chilli paste to impart a brilliant umami depth. Should you prefer a milder dish, you may omit the paste entirely to maintain a rich, classic flavour profile.Check the oxtail after an hour, leaving the lid off from this point forward. Continue to simmer the stew until the meat becomes exquisitely tender and effortlessly falls away from the bone.
Allow the cooking liquid to reduce to your preferred consistency. Taste carefully, adjusting the sweetness, seasoning, and spice levels to perfectly suit your palate. Serve immediately alongside crusty artisanal bread or freshly steamed rice.
For further culinary inspiration and elegant recipes from our Michelin-starred kitchens, we warmly invite you to follow our journey on Instagram: @Galvinrestaurants
