Oxtails Stew

Ingredients

• 1 oxtail about 2 - 2½ lbs cut up
• 4 tbsp cornflour
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• Salt and black pepper
• 4 rashers (slices) bacon ( sugar cured, rindless )
• 2 medium onions sliced
• 1 clove garlic crushed
• 4 carrots pared and sliced
• 1 cup peeled chopped tomatoes
• 1 pint (16 fl. oz) hot water
• 2 stalks green onions finely sliced
• 1 spring thyme
• 1 can butter beans ( lima beans )

Directions

1. Trim away excess fat and place oxtail in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes to blanch.
2. Drain well on absorbent paper and coat with cornflour.
3. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Heat oil in heavy skillet and brown oxtail on both sides removing when brown.
5. Pour off excess fat.
6. Dice bacon and fry for a few minutes.
7. Return oxtail to pot with bacon, add carrots, onion, garlic, tomatoes and hot water.
8. Cover and simmer gently for 3½ to 4 hours or until oxtail is almost tender.
9. At this stage add more liquid if necessary and season.
10. Cover and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Add the butter beans and allow to simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.