Oxtails at Big Mama's on a Sunday
Smothered Oxtails with Rich Gravy
Ingredients
3–4 lbs oxtails, cleaned and patted dry
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp browning sauce
3 cups beef broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt & black pepper to taste
Optional: 1 tsp allspice or a pinch of cayenne
Steps
Season oxtails generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and thyme.
Heat oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven. Brown oxtails on all sides (don’t rush this—this is flavor). Remove and set aside.
In the same pot, sauté onions and bell peppers until soft. Add garlic and stir 30 seconds.
Stir in browning sauce, Worcestershire, soy sauce, and beef broth.
Add oxtails back in. Liquid should mostly cover them.
Cover and braise on low heat for 2.5–3 hours, stirring occasionally, until fork-tender.
If gravy needs thickening, uncover for the last 20–30 minutes or mash a few oxtail pieces into the sauce.
🍚 Fluffy White Rice
Rinse 2 cups long-grain rice until water runs clear.
Add to pot with 4 cups water, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp butter.
Bring to boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer 18–20 minutes.
Fluff and rest.
🥬 Southern Stewed Cabbage
Ingredients
1 large head cabbage, chopped
½ onion, sliced
2 tbsp butter
1 cup chicken broth
Salt, pepper, garlic powder
Optional: smoked turkey or bacon bits
Steps
Melt butter in a pot, sauté onions until soft.
Add cabbage and broth.
Season well, cover, and simmer 25–30 minutes until tender but not mushy.
🍠 Candied Yams
Ingredients
4 large sweet potatoes, peeled & sliced
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup white sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
Splash of water or orange juice
Steps
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Layer sweet potatoes in a baking dish.
Melt butter with sugars, spices, vanilla, and liquid.
Pour over yams, cover with foil.
Bake 45 minutes, uncover, and bake another 15–20 minutes until syrupy and glazed.
🌽 Cornbread Muffins
Ingredients
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup flour
⅓ cup sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup milk
2 eggs
⅓ cup oil or melted butter
Steps
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Mix dry ingredients, then whisk in wet ingredients.
Pour into greased muffin tin.
Bake 15–18 minutes until golden.
🍴 How to Plate It
Rice as the base
Oxtails stacked on top with gravy dripping down
Cabbage tucked to the side
Candied yams glossy and caramelized
Cornbread muffin on the edge, brushed with butter