A Knight's Tail

A bit of a take on cottage pie.  This is labour intensive but tastes absolutely delicious and can be prepared the day before and refrigerated overnight.

I watched an episode of  'Come Dine With Me' where someone had made a version of Cottage Pie with oxtail and decided to do my own version.  The Woo's Dad hates oxtail as he had it virtually every day of the week when he was growing up but he loves Shepherd's/Cottage Pie so the challenge was to sneak one by him and see if he enjoyed it.

I did a combination of oxtail and chuck steak for the filling.  I browned both of the meats in a pan and then slowly braised them in a bottle of red wine with a chunky mirepoix (onion, carrots and celery).  Also in there was a little garlic, a couple of bay leaves and some seasoning.  This was slowly cooked in a low oven for a good three and a half hours.

Once cooked and cool enough to handle I shredded the oxtail off the bone and pulled apart the very tender pieces of steak.  These were mixed together in a bowl and reserved.

I softened another mirepoix; this time finely diced in a little oil, in a pan and added some chopped tomatoes, tomato puree and a little stock.  This was cooked out and reduced a little and then in went the reserved meat.  All cooked together with a little seasoning and then scooped out into individual serving bowls and topped with cheesy, mustardy mash.  Into  hot oven for about 30 minutes until the top went golden brown.  I served mine with a braised red cabbage which was mixed with the leftover juices from the meat mixture.  It was the most unctuous Cottage Pie ever and Arthur loved it...RESULT!