Story: Caroline's Authentic Chinese Braised Oxtail
Episode: 7
Presenter: Caroline Taylor
Air Date: 30th July

RECIPE

Chinese Braised Oxtail

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 kg oxtail, cut into 2 to 3 inch thick pieces
• 2 half-inch thick slices of fresh ginger
• 6 cloves garlic
• 3-4 pieces of star anise
• 6 cloves
• 3 bay leaves
• ½ cup Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine)
• 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of rock sugar (you can substitute regular sugar)
• 1 1/2 cups of water
• Salt, to taste

Method

1. Clean the oxtails and pat them dry.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium high heat and brown them on all sides.
3. Remove the oxtails and set aside on a plate.
4. To the pot, add the ginger, garlic, star anise, cloves, and bay leaves.
5. Cook for about 2 minutes.
6. Now it’s time to add cooking wine, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, rock sugar, water, and salt (careful with the salt, as the soy sauce is already quite salty).
7. Add the oxtails back to the pot, bring to a boil, and reduce heat to low.
8. Simmer for 1-1/2 – 2 hours, until the meat is tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.
9. As it’s simmering, stir occasionally and add additional water if necessary to avoid sticking.
10. Serve your Chinese Braised oxtails along with plenty of white rice.