African Food and Art

This blog explores the wisdom of African proverbs, the depth of folklore, the beauty of art, the stories of history, and the flavors of timeless African food recipes.

Umsila Wenkomo Oxtail Stew Slow Cooker Recipe

Umsila Wenkomo Oxtail Stew Slow Cooker Recipe Umsila Wenkomo means Oxtail Stew in the Xhosa African language. Xhosa is one of the official languages of South Africa. Nelson Mandela was of the Xhosa people and Umsila Wenkomo or Oxtail Stew was one of his favorite meals.

Umsila Wenkomo Oxtail Stew a Slow Cooker Recipe
Umsila Wenkomo Oxtail Stew

 

Slow Cooker African Oxtail Stew


Ingredients
4 pounds oxtails
2 cups beef broth or stock
2 cups baby carrots
4 medium potatoes unpeeled and quartered
1 hot pepper
1 tablespoon crushed garlic
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon brown sugar
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Add all ingredients except for meat in a large slow cooker and mix well, add meat and simmer on low for 9-10 hours or high 6-7 hours. Serve with white rice.


Why are oxtails an expensive cut of meat?
They are not really expensive, its all about trendy supply and demand. Oxtails are the tail of cattle. Oxtails were not always expensive, years ago they were inexpensive. Oxtail is a more recent example of cooking shows using lesser known cuts of meat as exotic fare, oxtails was a poor man’s cut of meat that has evolved into an expensive food item. Oxtails are a tough cut of meat and slow cooking or pressure cooking are the only options for a tender dish.

Cook oxtails slow and low.
Cook oxtails slow and low.


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