Cooking for Real Season 2 Episode 8 Classic Rockin' Oxtail

In Cooking for Real season 2 episode 8, titled "Classic Rockin' Oxtail," the host Sunny Anderson takes viewers on a flavorful journey with her classic oxtail recipe. Sunny is known for her approachable and delicious recipes, and in this episode, she shows us how to make a hearty and savory dish that will satisfy any palate.

The show kicks off with Sunny sharing her secret ingredient for adding depth of flavor to her oxtail recipe: coffee! She grinds fresh coffee beans and adds it to the dish, which gives it a rich, smoky flavor. Sunny then moves on to chopping onions, celery, carrots, and garlic, which are all key ingredients in the dish. As Sunny explains, these vegetables build a flavor base for the oxtail and help to build bold flavors in the final dish.

Once the vegetables are chopped, Sunny moves on to browning the oxtail in a hot pan with oil. Browning the meat adds additional depth of flavor to the dish and helps to create a beautiful crust on the outside of the meat. After the oxtail is browned, Sunny adds the vegetables back to the pan and deglazes the pan with some red wine. She allows the wine to cook down, which further builds the flavor profile.

Next up, Sunny adds some beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and the ground coffee to the pan, along with some seasonings like thyme and bay leaves. She explains that these ingredients all work together to create a complex and flavorful sauce for the oxtail. Once everything is added to the pan, Sunny covers it with foil and pops it in the oven to braise for a few hours. While the oxtail cooks, Sunny prepares a creamy polenta to serve alongside it.

Once the oxtail is finished cooking, Sunny removes it from the oven and takes off the foil. The meat is fall-off-the-bone tender and the sauce is thick and rich. Sunny serves the oxtail over the creamy polenta and garnished it with fresh herbs. The final dish is beautiful and incredibly flavorful, with a depth of flavor that only comes from slow-cooked dishes like this one.

Overall, "Classic Rockin' Oxtail" is a perfect example of Sunny's approachable and flavorful style. She takes common ingredients and turns them into something truly special, with techniques and secrets that viewers can use in their own kitchens. This episode is a must-watch for anyone who loves hearty and comforting dishes, and is sure to leave viewers feeling satisfied and inspired.