Welcome to my blog post where I will be sharing with you a delicious and hearty traditional South African dish - Oxtail Potjie. This slow-cooked stew made in a cast-iron pot, known as a potjie, is perfect for a weekend dinner with friends and family.
What You'll Need
Before we get started on how to make this delicious dish, let's take a look at the ingredients you'll need:
- 1kg oxtail (trimmed and cut into pieces)
- 2 onions (diced)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 3 medium-sized carrots (peeled and chopped)
- 3 celery stalks (sliced)
- 1 can of tomato paste (70g)
- 1 can of chopped tomatoes (400g)
- 2 cups of beef stock
- 2-3 bay leaves
- 1 tsp of thyme
- 1 tsp of rosemary
- 1 tsp of smoked paprika
- 2-3 tbsp of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to season
Method
Now that we have all the ingredients ready let's start cooking!
Step 1 - Preparing the Potjie Pot
Before we start cooking, we need to prepare our pot. Heat the potjie pot over medium heat and add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil. Once it's heated, add the diced onions and minced garlic and sauté them for a few minutes until the onions become translucent.
Step 2 - Browning the Oxtail
Now it's time to add the oxtail to the pot, season with salt and pepper, and brown on both sides. This step will take about 10-15 minutes. Once it's done, remove the oxtail from the pot and set it aside.
Step 3 - Adding the Vegetables and Flavors
Add the chopped carrots and sliced celery to the pot and cook for a few minutes until they start to soften. Then add the can of tomato paste, chopped tomatoes, beef stock, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, and smoked paprika. Stir all the ingredients together and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Step 4 - Slow Cooking
Now it's time to add the browned oxtail back to the pot. Cover the pot and let it simmer for around 2-3 hours. You can also cook it over low heat for up to 6 hours until the meat is tender and falls off the bone.
Step 5 - Adjusting the Seasoning
After the oxtail has been cooking for a while, check the seasoning and adjust it according to your taste. You can add more salt, pepper, or even more spices if you like.
Step 6 - Serving
Once the oxtail potjie is done, you can serve it with your choice of sides. I love to serve mine with creamy mashed potatoes, but it also goes well with rice or even crusty bread.
Conclusion
Oxtail Potjie is a classic South African dish that is perfect for a comforting and hearty meal. With this recipe, you can easily make it at home and impress your friends and family. Remember to take your time when cooking the oxtail to get the best flavor out of it. Bon appetit!
