Braised Oxtail Arepas with Avocado & Black Beans

These Venezuelan-style arepas are served stuffed with oxtails that have been braised with red wine and chili powder and filled with avocado, black beans and plantains.

📝 Ingredients

• 3 pounds oxtails, (cut into thick steaks by the butcher if needed)
• Kosher salt, (as needed)
• Freshly ground black pepper, (as needed)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 medium carrots, (chopped)
• 2 medium shallots, (chopped)
• 4 green onions, (roughly chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic, (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 2 cups beef stock
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 2 cups aprepa flour, (precooked cornmeal)
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large Hass avocado, (peeled, pitted and sliced)
• 1 (15.5-ounce) can black beans, rinsed, drained and heated
• 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese
• Lime wedges, (for serving)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- For the braised oxtails: ---
2. 2Preheat the oven to 325ºF (170ºC).
3. 3Pat the oxtails dry with paper towels then season the oxtails on all sides with salt and pepper. Toss with flour to coat evenly. Heat a 7.25-quart Dutch oven over medium heat then add the olive oil and heat through. Working in batches, sear until golden brown on all sides, about 6 minutes.
4. 4Remove to a bowl and repeat with the remaining oxtails. Once all the oxtails have been seared set aside, leaving as much of the oil in the pan. Add the carrots, shallots and green onions and sauté until soft and tender. Add the oxtails back to the pot then stir in the garlic, tomato paste and chili powder. Add the red wine and beef stock. Bring to a simmer then cover. Place in the oven and braise until the meat is fork tender, about 3 hours.
5. 5Remove the oxtails from the pot and let cool. Once they are cool, shred the meat and setting it aside, discarding the bones or reserving for stock. Return the braising liquid to the pot and simmer until the sauce is reduced. Add the shredded meat back to the pan and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the cilantro and set aside.
6. 6--- For the arepas: ---
7. 7In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the arepa flour and salt. Make a well in the center of the arepa flour and add 2 ½ cups warm water. Stir together with a wooden spoon, stirring until there are no lumps. Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes. The dough should hold together easily.
8. 8Knead the dough in the bowl then divided into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece on a clean work surface into a ball, then flatten into a circle ½” thick.
9. 9Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of the oil and heat through. Add 4 of the arepas and cover, cooking until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Uncover, flip and continue to cook, uncovered, until golden brown, an additional 6 minutes.
10. 10Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with the remaining arepa dough. Use a sharp knife to split the arepas.
11. 11--- For assembly: ---
12. 12Stuff each of the arepas with a scoop of the braised oxtail mixture, black beans and a few slices of avocado. Sprinkle with some of the cheese and serve immediately with lime wedges.