Oxtail stew w/celery sauce, pine nuts, and raisins

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
¼cupOlive oil
poundsOxtails, trimmed
Cut into 1 1/2\" pieces
1largeOnion(s), chopped
(about 2 cups)
2Garlic clove(s), minced
4Whole cloves
Fresh ground black pepper
1cupDry white wine
1can(35oz) Italian tomatoes
Drained and chopped
6Pale-green inner
Celery ribs
Coarsely chopped (3 cups)
3tablespoonsPine nuts
3tablespoonsRaisins
1tablespoonGrate fine-quality
Bittersweet chocolate
(not unsweetened)

Directions

In a heavy 6-8-quart kettle heat oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and brown oxtails on all sides, in batches if necessary, transferring with a slotted spoon to a plate as browned. In kettle cook onion, garlic, and cloves with salt and pepper to taste, stirring, until onion is pale golden. Add wine and boil until almost all liquid is evaporated. Add oxtails, tomatoes, and the 2 cups water and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until meat is very tender and falls away from the bones, 3½-4 hours.

Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil and add celery. Boil celery 1 min and drain. Transfer about 2 cups oxtail sauce from kettle to a small saucepan and add celery, pine nuts, raisins, and chocolate.

Simmer sauce 5 min.

Transfer oxtails with a slotted spoon to a platter, reserving sauce in kettle for another use if desired, and spoon celery sauce over them.

Gourmet Magazine

January 1996

Submitted By DIANE LAZARUS On 12-27-95