Braised Ox Cheeks With Port And Balsamic Vinegar Recipes

BRAISED OX CHEEKS WITH PORT AND BALSAMIC VINEGAR

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 160°C.
• Place an oven-proof pan over a medium heat and add the olive oil. When hot, add the cheeks and cook until nicely coloured on all sides.
• Remove the cheeks and set aside; without cleaning the pan, add the vegetables and cook for 6 minutes.
• Add the port to the pan to deglaze it (scrape up any bits which are stuck to the sides because these will have great flavour).
• Once the liquid has almost all evaporated, add the stock, vinegar and rosemary and return the cheeks to the pan.
• Bring to the boil then cover and transfer to the oven.
• Cook for 2 1/2 hours.
• If the liquid appears runny, place the pan back on the hop, remove the lid and reduce the sauce until it is smooth.
• Serve with plenty of mashed potatoes.

BRAISED OX CHEEKS & MUSTARD BUTTER

Steps:

• Two-and-a-half days before you plan to eat, put the cheeks in a bowl and pour over the ale. Cover and marinate in the fridge for 24 hrs.
• Up to two days ahead, make the mustard butter by beating the ingredients, together with 3/4 tsp salt, using a wooden spoon in a bowl. Tip onto a sheet of baking parchment or cling film, wrap and roll up to form a sausage shape, then chill in the fridge until needed.
• Heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Remove the cheeks from the beer, pat dry on kitchen paper and season, reserving the beer. Heat the oil in a wide flameproof casserole dish or heavy-based pan. Sear the cheeks on all sides, then set aside. Add the vegetables and garlic to the hot dish and cook for 10 mins until browned.
• Return the cheeks to the dish with the ale, stock and herbs. Gently bring to the boil, skimming off any impurities as you go. Cover with a tight-fitting lid (or foil) and braise in the oven for 4 hrs until the meat is very tender.
• Once cooked, leave the beef to rest in the cooking liquid until cool - this will give you a much fuller flavour. Then cover and chill in the fridge overnight.
• The following day, remove the cheeks from the fridge. Put the casserole dish over a medium heat to warm though before lifting the cheeks into a bowl and passing the liquor through a fine sieve into a saucepan. Bubble on the hob for 15-20 mins until reduced to a rich sauce. Season and return the cheeks to the sauce to warm through. Remove the cheeks again, slice and divide between plates, spooning over some of the sauce. Put a slice of the mustard butter on top of each cheek to melt and serve with pearl barley and steamed greens.