Name: Oxtail Basil Stew
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 59 min
Total time: 89 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 1 lb (450 gram) of Oxtail; 1/2 Small green papaya, peeled, diced or 1 cup of diced green papaya (option); 6 Cups of water; 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 yellow onion, sliced; 3 small tomatoes, diced; 1 lb (450 gram) of beef chuck, cut chunks bite sizes; 1 tablespoon of fish sauce; 1 tablespoon of soy sauce; 1/2 tablespoon of sugar; 1/2 tablespoon of curry powder; 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper; A handful of sweet basil leaves

Oxtail Basil Stew

Oxtail Basil Stew is a simple and delectable dish that brings together tender oxtail and sweet basil leaves, creating a delightful combination of flavors. The inclusion of green papaya in the recipe serves a dual purpose – acting as a natural meat tenderizer and reducing the overall cooking time, as oxtail traditionally takes a long time to become tender. This stew, a favorite among Khmer households, can be enjoyed as an appetizer, paired with rice, or served with noodles.

To prepare this flavorful stew, oxtail and green papaya are boiled in water for 1½-2 hours or until the oxtail reaches the desired tenderness. Meanwhile, a large skillet or wok is heated, and minced garlic, sliced onion, diced tomatoes, and beef chuck are stir-fried until well combined. The seasoning process involves adding fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and curry powder, creating a savory and aromatic base. This mixture is then combined with the oxtail, allowing the flavors to meld and the meat to cook until tender.

The finishing touches include adding sweet basil leaves and a sprinkle of black pepper, enhancing the stew’s aroma and visual appeal. The versatility of this Oxtail Basil Stew allows it to be served in various ways – as a comforting bowl along with hot crusty French or Italian bread, or for a noodle variation, over a bowl of bean sprouts and mint combined with cooked rice vermicelli noodles. Whether enjoyed with rice, noodles, or hot bread, this stew exemplifies the rich and diverse culinary traditions of Khmer cuisine, providing a satisfying and delicious meal for all occasions.

Ingredients

1 lb (450 gram) of Oxtail
1/2 Small green papaya, peeled, diced or 1 cup of diced green papaya (option)
6 Cups of water
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 yellow onion, sliced
3 small tomatoes, diced
1 lb (450 gram) of beef chuck, cut chunks bite sizes
1 tablespoon of fish sauce
1 tablespoon of soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon of sugar
1/2 tablespoon of curry powder
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
A handful of sweet basil leaves

Directions to make Oxtail Basil Stew

Put oxtail, green papaya and water in a large soup pot, boiled for 1½-2 hours or till oxtail tender. While oxtail cooking, heat up a large skillet or wok.
When skillet is hot, add garlic, onion, tomatoes and beef chuck, stirs well. Seasoning with fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar and curry powder, stirs well, simmering for few minutes then add in with oxtail, stirs and cook till meat tender.
Top with sweet basil leaves and black pepper, stirs and serve.

Note: Serve a bowl of ox tail basil stew along with hot crusty French or Italian bread. For noodle: put bean sprout, and mint in a bowl, add cooked rice vermicelli noodle and oxtail basil stew. Serve hot with rice, with noodles or hot bread.

Enjoy it

Related Recipe: Oxtail Cabbage Soup