Slow cooked oxtail and gnocchi

Slow cooked oxtail and gnocchi

By Grigor Published: November 5, 2012

• Makes: 6-8 Servings
• Prep: 20 mins mins
• Cook: 5 hrs 0 min
• Ready In: 5 hrs 20 mins

Comfort food doesn't have to be bland. If you have the time this Italian winter warmer makes dark days worth looking forward to.

Ingredients

• 1 pack Gnocchi
• 1 large Oxtail usually in stock at Morrisons and already chopped up
• 1 large Onion peeled and finely chopped
• 1 large stick Celery finely chopped
• 1 large Leek finely chopped
• 1 large Carrot peeled and diced
• 1/2 bottle White Wine
• 1 tbsp Juniper Berries bruised
• 1 tbsp Fennel Seeds crushed
• 1/2 stick Cinnamon
• 1 small Dried Red Chilli crushed
• 1 pinch Salt
• 1 pinch Pepper
• 4 400g Tins Of Plum Tomatoes
• 1 tbsp Tomato Puree
• 1 tbsp Fresh Oregano leaves separated & chopped
• 1 handful Fresh Sage Leaves optional for garnish
• 1 knob Butter optional for garnish
• 3 handfuls Parmesan grated
• 2 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 cup Water or a little more

Instructions

1. In an ovenproof casserole pot heat the olive oil and brown the oxtail on all sides.
   
2. Add the leak, carrot, celery and onion to the casserole pot and soften until the onion is translucent. Do not burn!!
   
3. Add your wine, crushed spices, chilli, cinammon, tinned tomatoes and tomato puree. Add enough of the water to make sure the meat is covered by the sauce and cover
   
4. Put the covered casserole pot in a pre-heated oven at 150oC for 4 and a half hours or until the meat is falling off the bone.
   
5. Remove the pot from the oven and extract the meat chunks. When cooled shred the meat from the bone and add back into the pot bone free.
   
6. Add the oregano leaves to the pot and simmer for 15 minutes on a hob. then taste and season as necessary.
   
7. Simultaneously cook your gnocchi per the instructions on the packet. Serve with a generous ladelful of the oxtail stew and some grated parmesan
   
8. As a garnish fry your sage leaves in the butter and lay a few on each portion of the stew.
   

• Cuisine: Italian
• Course: Main
• Skill Level: Beginner