How to Make Beer-Braised Oxtail, an Irresistible Dish for the Weekend

How to make Beer-braised Beef Tail

• 1

  Prepare the ingredients

  Take 1 large ginger root and divide it into 2 parts. One part is sliced and smashed, and the other part is finely chopped.

  Peel 6 shallots, smashing 4 of them and finely chopping 2.

  Take 4 stalks of lemongrass, cut them into pieces about 3 fingers long, and smash them.

  Peel 4 garlic cloves and finely chop them.

  

  

  

  
• 2

  Prepare and marinate the beef tail

  When you buy beef tail at the market, you can ask the seller to char the beef tail for you. Then, when you bring it home, you just need to cut the beef tail into bite-sized pieces and start cooking.

  When you buy beef tail at stores and supermarkets, it is usually uncharred and cut into pieces, then packaged. After bringing it home, you can also char it yourself using a torch.

  Put 2 liters of water into a pot and place it on the stove. Add the following ingredients to the pot of water: 3 slices of smashed ginger, 1 teaspoon of salt, 4 smashed shallots, 1 stalk of lemongrass cut into pieces, 1 tablespoon of white wine.

  Put the beef tail into the pot of water when the water is still warm; from the time the water boils, blanch the beef tail for 4 minutes and then remove it.

  Prepare a bowl of cold water, put the beef tail in, and rinse it again. Gently rub to clean the beef tail better. After rinsing, remove the beef tail into a bowl.

  Marinate the beef tail with 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder, 1/3 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of monosodium glutamate, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, 1 tablespoon of palm sugar, 1 teaspoon of minced ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of minced shallots, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1/2 tablespoon of chili powder, and then mix well, allowing the beef tail to absorb the spices for 30 minutes.

  

  

  

  
• 3

  Sauté beef tail

  Place a pan on the stove, add 4 tablespoons of annatto oil, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of minced shallots, 1 tablespoon of minced ginger, 1 stalk of lemongrass cut into pieces and smashed, 2 star anise, 2 pieces of cinnamon, and sauté the mixture until fragrant.

  Then add 1/2 tablespoon of palm sugar to the mixture for a nicer color.

  Add the marinated beef tail into the pan and sauté quickly, stirring well so that all the spices soak into the beef tail.

  Sauté until the beef tail is firm, then add the marinade liquid into the pan and stir together.

  When the mixture boils, add 1 tablespoon of white wine and stir well to absorb.

  

  
• 4

  Braise beef tail with beer

  Transfer the sautéed beef tail mixture to a pressure cooker and pour in 1 can of beer until it covers the beef tail.

  Add 2 stalks of lemongrass cut into pieces and smashed, 2 slices of ginger cut and smashed, 1 chili, and 1 onion cut in half, then close the pressure cooker lid and braise for 20 minutes.

  Tip: If you don’t have a pressure cooker at home, you can braise the beef tail in an aluminum pot or stainless steel pot for about 2 hours.

  
• 5

  Make the dipping sauce

  Take a bowl and add 1 tablespoon of salt, 3 chili peppers, 1 stalk of lemongrass sliced, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of monosodium glutamate.

  Use a pestle to crush the spice mixture. Then, squeeze in the juice of 1/2 lemon, add 1/2 tablespoon of chili powder, and mix well to combine the flavors.

  

  
• 6

  Completion

  Pour the mixture from the pressure cooker into another pot, removing all the onion and crushed lemongrass, leaving only the liquid and oxtail.

  Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of fish sauce to the pot. Take 1 onion and cut it into wedges, then add it to the pot to cook with the oxtail for another 5 minutes to finish.

  Serve the oxtail on a plate and add a little chopped green onion and some chili, and you can enjoy the delicious beer-braised oxtail dish.

  The oxtail is tender, with a thick sauce that blends with the aroma of cinnamon, star anise, lemongrass, and ginger. This dish can be enjoyed with rice or bread, and it is incredibly tasty!