Slow-cooked oxtail barbacoa served with light corn espuma and bright lime gel for a modern, flavorful presentation.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- Cooked oxtail (see sub-recipe)
- Corn Epsuma (see sub-recipe)
- Lime Gel (see sub-recipe)
- for garnish – Micro cilantro
Speciality Items:
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- Gelatin Need it? Click here to start cooking
- Immersion Blender Need it? Click here to start cooking
- Fine mesh strainer Need it? Click here to start cooking
- Foamer Need it? Click here to start cooking
- Foamer Nitrogen Refill Need it? Click here to start cooking
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🍷Sommelier's Recommendation
Citrus minerality plays with lime; enough body for oxtail.
Elegant Spanish depth for heavy braise.
Steps:
- Place shredded oxtail in the center of the plate.
- Pipe or spoon corn espuma around or over the meat.
- Add dots or small quenelles of lime gel for brightness.
- Optional: garnish with micro cilantro.
Oxtail Barbacoa
Ingredients:
- 3-4 lbs – Oxtail pieces
- 2 tbsp – Vegetable oil
- 1 – Onion (chopped)
- 4 cloves – Garlic (minced)
- 2 – Dried chiles (guajillo or ancho) (soaked and pureed)
- 1 tsp – Ground cumin
- 1 tsp – Smoked paprika
- 2 cups – Beef or chicken stock
- 2 – Bay leaves
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C) or prepare slow cooker.
- Season oxtail with salt and pepper. Sear in oil until browned on all sides.
- Remove meat, sauté onion and garlic in the same pan.
- Add chile puree, cumin, and paprika; cook 1–2 minutes.
- Return oxtail to pan, add stock and bay leaves.
- Cover and slow-cook in oven or slow cooker 6–8 hours until meat is tender and falls off the bone.
- Shred meat gently and keep warm.
Corn Espuma
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb – Corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup – Milk
- 1/4 cup – Cream
- 1 tsp – Sugar (optional)
- Salt (to taste)
- 1 sheet or 1 g – Gelatin or soy lecithin (for stabilization)
Steps:
- Blend corn, milk, cream, sugar, and salt until smooth.
- Strain through fine mesh.
- Heat gently and add gelatin (if using) to stabilize.
- Transfer to a foamer to create espuma.
Lime Gel
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup – Lime juice
- 1/4 cup – Water
- 1/2 tablespoons – Sugar
- 2 g or 1 sheet – Agar-agar or gelatin
Steps:
- Mix lime juice, water, sugar, and agar-agar.
- Bring to a gentle boil for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Pour onto a tray and chill until set.
- Blend to a smooth gel or cut into small cubes for plating.
More Info
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