Oxtails Stew

Ingredients

 * 1 oxtail about 2 - 2½ lbs cut up
 * 4 tbsp cornflour
 * 2 tbsp cooking oil
 * Salt and black pepper
 * 4 rashers (slices) bacon ( sugar cured, rindless )
 * 2 medium onions sliced
 * 1 clove garlic crushed
 * 4 carrots pared and sliced
 * 1 cup peeled chopped tomatoes
 * 1 pint (16 fl. oz) hot water
 * 2 stalks green onions finely sliced
 * 1 spring thyme
 * 1 can butter beans ( lima beans )

Directions

 * 1) Trim away excess fat and place oxtail in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes to blanch.
 * 2) Drain well on absorbent paper and coat with cornflour.
 * 3) Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
 * 4) Heat oil in heavy skillet and brown oxtail on both sides removing when brown.
 * 5) Pour off excess fat.
 * 6) Dice bacon and fry for a few minutes.
 * 7) Return oxtail to pot with bacon, add carrots, onion, garlic, tomatoes and hot water.
 * 8) Cover and simmer gently for 3½ to 4 hours or until oxtail is almost tender.
 * 9) At this stage add more liquid if necessary and season.
 * 10) Cover and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Add the butter beans and allow to simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.