Real Cuban Rabo Encendido (Oxtail Stew)

I've seen a few recipes for this dish that are not in any way authentic to the Cuban version. Being that this is my absolute favorite dish and I'm a Cuban-American that's been eating this for as long as I can remember, I thought I'd share my version. Here's the recipe that I and most Cuban families here in Miami use. Of course, some people have their own special igredients, but I assure you that cocoa powder, celery, and chioptle chillies are not used in the traditional Cuban recipe. To me, what gives this dish its unique flavor is the dry cooking wine. I use Edmundo, which is found in just about any grocery store. Also, most people use perssure cookers and can have this done in less than 45 minutes. However, I use my trusty cast iron dutch oven and cook it for the full 2 hours. Niehter method makes a noticable difference in taste, it's just a matter of how much time you have. Hope you like it!

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 4  lbs  oxtails, disjointed
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 2  cups  dry wine, divided
• 1  teaspoon salt
•  olive oil (for frying)
• 2 1⁄2 cups  diced onions
• 2 1⁄2 cups  diced green peppers
• 2  cups  diced  red peppers
• 1  cup  diced carrot
• 1  cup potato, quartered (about 2 med-large potatoes)
• 6  garlic cloves, mashed with
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  sazon Accent seasoning (about 1 1/2 teaspoon, 1/2 packet)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1  teaspoon nutmeg
• 2  bay leaves, dried (I use Badia brand)
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce (Goya is best)
• 2 1⁄2 cups beef broth

Directions

1. Marinate the meat in a mixture of olive oil, dry cooking wine, and salt at least 8 hours or overnight. Drain marinade and discard.
2. Brown meat on both sides in olive oil. Don't deep fry, just use enough oil to lightly toast the meat.
3. Remove the meat and add onion, peppers, carrots, and potatoes.
4. Saute until the onions are somewhat translucent.
5. Add garlic/salt mixture and continue cooking for about a minute.
6. Add remaining ingridients, including meat.
7. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the meat is fork tender. About 2 hours.
8. Remove bay leaves and serve hot over white rice.