Braised Oxtail With Star Anise

Braising (from the French word, “braiser”) is a combination-cooking method that uses both moist and dry heats: typically, the food is first seared at a high temperature, then finished in a covered pot at a lower temperature while sitting in some (variable) amount of liquid (which may also add flavor). Braising of meat is often referred to as pot roasting, though some authors make a distinction between the two methods, based on whether additional liquid is added.

Oxtail is meaty and rich as short ribs .. It’s easy to prepare, the method of cooking is braising. In a large bowl, combine salt, pepper and allspice.

Add oxtail to bowl and rub the mixture all over the meat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight .Heat a heavy soup pot with a lid, over medium-high heat. Add oil and warm through. Add as many oxtail pieces as you can fit in a single layer without overcrowding the pot. Sear, turning occasionally, until the meat is uniformly golden brown all over, including the sides.  Repeat until you’ve browned all the oxtail. Add shallot to the pan drippings and cook over medium heat until lightly caramelized, about 10 minutes. Add Star Anise and celery root and cook 5 minutes. Heat oven to 325 degrees and put in the oven for about 30 minutes.  Pour stock into pot. Bundle parsley sprigs, rosemary branches and bay leaves  drop into pot. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook over medium heat until liquid has reduced by half, about 15 minutes

Cook, turning oxtails every 30 minutes, until meat is fork tender, 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Spicy Beef Curry

In Philippines, Chicken meat cooked in coconut milk, chillies and curry powder is the usual curry dish that  Filipinos are familiar with. A typical  Filipino curry dish would be usually of either pork or chicken as the meat while cooked at a similar manner as to other local dishes such as adobo,kaldereta, and mechado, patis (fish sauce), with potatoes, bay leaf, coconut milk, and sometimes lemongrass and carrots to complement.

But for me I try using Beef meat. Para maiba naman. Para malaman natin ano pagkakaiba sa Chicken, at Beef Curry.

Add the tender beef ( 40 minutes in pressure cooker)  together with the onion, ginger, garlic, chillies, ground coriander, cardamom, turmeric and nutmeg. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring well, then add the tomatoes with their juice and the pure coconut milk. Bring to the boil, stirring. Stir in the yogurt and honey. Add the green peas , potatoes and carrots.Bring back to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes. Seasoned it and add the slice red bell pepper.