Todays Lunch

Oh man just had a bowl of left over Potjiekos or for those unfortunate people who have no idea what this is it is a South African traditional stew made in a big iron pot over an open fire. In the making of this stew i might add vast quantities of alcoal are consumed by all and it is usually a very festive occasion. See Recipe below Oxtail Potjie - probably the tastiest potjie recipe

INGREDIENTS

500g Oxtails cut into 2 inches thick pieces
10 slices Bacon cut in 1 inch pieces
½ cup Flour seasoned with salt and pepper

1 litre beef stock
1 can tomato paste
1 Bay leaf 6 black peppercorns1 bouquet garni
6 large leeks, chopped coarsely
2 large onions, chopped coarsely
6 large carrots, chopped coarsely
20 button mushrooms
1 cup red wine½ cup sherry
½ cup cream
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons crushed garlic

METHOD

1. Dry oxtails with paper towel.
2. Put seasoned flour in a Ziplock bag, then add the  Oxtail and shake to coat with flour.
3. Heat butter and olive oil and sauté bacon pieces.
4. Remove bacon and brown Oxtail in resulting fat, remove and drain.
5. Finely dice 4 of the carrots. Coarsely chop the onions and the leeks.
6. Add the finely diced carrots, leeks, onions and sauté until softened
7. Add Oxtail, bacon, bouquet garni, bay leaf, peppercorns, garlic, tomato sauce, red wine, sherry.
8. Bring slowly to a boil and cook slowly for 3 - 4 hours.
9. 1 hour before serving cut the remaining carrots into 1 inch pieces, add them and mushrooms and continue cooking slowly.
10. Just prior to serving, add cream and stir in.
11. If you want to thicken the sauce mix some cornstarch with the cream before adding.

Enjoy with rice or Samp or pap (pollenta) however you eat it its good