Ox cheek, a cut of meat that is often overlooked, is packed with flavor and can be transformed into mouthwatering dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. Known for its richness and tenderness, ox cheek is perfect for slow cooking, making it an ideal choice for hearty, comforting meals. In this article, we'll explore 10 delicious ox cheek recipes that you must try!
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1. Classic Braised Ox Cheeks
Braised ox cheeks are a staple in many kitchens. This recipe focuses on low and slow cooking, allowing the meat to become incredibly tender.
Ingredients
- 2 ox cheeks
- 2 onions, chopped
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 500ml beef stock
- 250ml red wine
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Sear the Ox Cheeks: In a heavy pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the ox cheeks with salt and pepper, then sear them until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add onions, carrots, and garlic. Cook until softened.
- Combine and Cook: Return the ox cheeks to the pot, add red wine and beef stock, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook on low heat for 3-4 hours.
- Serve: Serve with creamy mashed potatoes or polenta for a comforting meal.
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2. Ox Cheek Tacos
If you're looking for a twist, why not try ox cheek tacos? These flavorful tacos are perfect for a casual dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 ox cheeks
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 8 small tortillas
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Slow Cook the Cheeks: In a slow cooker, add ox cheeks, onion, garlic, cumin, and chili powder. Cook on low for 8 hours.
- Shred and Serve: Once cooked, shred the meat with two forks and serve in tortillas topped with cilantro and your favorite salsa.
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3. Ox Cheek Stew
This hearty stew is a perfect way to warm up on a cold day.
Ingredients
- 500g ox cheek, diced
- 2 potatoes, cubed
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 500ml beef stock
- 1 teaspoon thyme
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a pot, brown the ox cheek over medium heat.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the onions, carrots, potatoes, and tomato paste. Cook for a few minutes.
- Simmer: Pour in beef stock and thyme. Simmer for about 2 hours until the meat is tender.
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4. Ox Cheek Ragu
Perfect for pasta lovers, ox cheek ragu is a delicious sauce that's perfect over tagliatelle or pappardelle.
Ingredients
- 2 ox cheeks
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 400g canned tomatoes
- 200ml red wine
- 400g tagliatelle
Instructions
- Sear and Cook: Sear the ox cheeks in a pot, then add onion, carrots, canned tomatoes, and red wine. Cook for 2-3 hours until tender.
- Serve with Pasta: Shred the meat and serve over freshly cooked tagliatelle.
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5. Ox Cheek Curry
For a spicy twist, try this delicious ox cheek curry recipe.
Ingredients
- 500g ox cheeks, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 400ml coconut milk
- Fresh coriander for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a pan, brown the ox cheeks and set aside.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same pan, sauté the onion and garlic. Add curry powder and stir.
- Add Coconut Milk: Return the meat, pour in coconut milk, and simmer for about 2 hours.
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6. Ox Cheek Pie
This comforting pie is perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
- 500g ox cheeks, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 500ml beef stock
- 1 sheet puff pastry
Instructions
- Cook the Filling: Brown the meat with onions and carrots, then add beef stock. Simmer until thickened.
- Assemble the Pie: Place the mixture in a pie dish and cover with puff pastry. Bake at 180°C for 25-30 minutes until golden.
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7. Ox Cheek Goulash
This Hungarian-inspired dish is rich and flavorful.
Ingredients
- 500g ox cheeks, diced
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 500ml beef stock
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: In a pot, sauté onions until soft. Add paprika and cook briefly.
- Brown the Meat: Add ox cheeks and brown them, then add bell pepper and beef stock.
- Simmer: Cook for about 2 hours until the meat is tender.
<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Ox+Cheek+Goulash" alt="Ox Cheek Goulash" /> </div>
8. Ox Cheek Burgers
For a fun twist, make juicy ox cheek burgers!
Ingredients
- 500g ox cheek, minced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper
- Burger buns and toppings of choice
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Mix ox cheek with onion, egg, salt, and pepper.
- Form Patties: Shape into burger patties and grill until cooked through.
- Serve: Serve on buns with your favorite toppings.
<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Ox+Cheek+Burgers" alt="Ox Cheek Burgers" /> </div>
9. Ox Cheek with Horseradish Cream
This elegant dish is perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
- 2 ox cheeks
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons horseradish
Instructions
- Cook the Cheeks: Braise ox cheeks with onion and beef stock for 3-4 hours.
- Make the Cream: Whip heavy cream and mix with horseradish. Serve with sliced ox cheeks.
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10. Ox Cheek Risotto
Creamy risotto paired with tender ox cheek makes for a luxurious dish.
Ingredients
- 500g ox cheeks, cooked and shredded
- 300g Arborio rice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 liter beef stock
- 100g Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Sauté Onion: In a pot, sauté onion until soft. Add Arborio rice and stir for a minute.
- Add Stock Gradually: Gradually add beef stock, stirring until absorbed.
- Stir in Cheese: Once the rice is creamy, mix in the shredded ox cheek and Parmesan.
<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Ox+Cheek+Risotto" alt="Ox Cheek Risotto" /> </div>
Ox cheek is a versatile cut of meat that offers incredible flavor and texture when cooked properly. These 10 mouthwatering recipes are just the beginning; with ox cheek, the possibilities are endless! Whether you're in the mood for a comforting stew or a fancy dinner, ox cheek can elevate your cooking to new heights. So go ahead, and give these recipes a try – your taste buds will thank you!