Lekhoaba la Kgomo (Oxtail Stew)
A rich and hearty oxtail stew, slow-cooked to tender perfection with aromatic vegetables and a savory broth. This dish is a comforting and flavorful representation of Sesotho cuisine, often enjoyed during gatherings.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Oxtails
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 medium Carrots(peeled and chopped)
- 2 Celery stalks(chopped)
- 400 g Tomatoes(canned, diced)
- 1 liter Beef broth
- 2 Bay leaves
- 3 Thyme sprigs
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- as needed Water
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the oxtails dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
- 2
Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the oxtails on all sides until deeply browned. Remove the oxtails from the pot and set aside.
- 3
Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8-10 minutes.
- 4
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Stir in the diced tomatoes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- 6
Return the oxtails to the pot. Pour in the beef broth and enough water to almost cover the oxtails. Add the bay leaves and thyme sprigs.
- 7
Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for at least 3 hours, or until the meat is very tender and falling off the bone. Stir occasionally and add more water or broth if needed to keep the oxtails submerged.
- 8
Once the oxtails are tender, remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Skim off any excess fat from the surface of the stew. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- 9
Serve hot, traditionally with papa (maize porridge) or rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can brown the oxtails in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot.
- ✓Slow cooking is key to tender oxtails. Don't rush the process.
- ✓If the sauce is too thin, you can thicken it by simmering uncovered for the last 30 minutes of cooking, or by making a slurry of cornstarch and water and stirring it in.
🔄 Variations
- Add a splash of red wine to the broth for added depth of flavor.
- Include other root vegetables like potatoes or parsnips.
- For a touch of spice, add a pinch of chili flakes.