Rabada com Polenta

Rabada com Polenta is a hearty Brazilian dish featuring tender oxtail braised in a rich tomato sauce, served over creamy polenta. This comforting meal is perfect for a cozy dinner, bringing the warmth of Brazilian cuisine to your table.

Ingredients

• Oxtail - 500 grams
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Onion - 1 medium, diced
• Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
• Carrot - 1 medium, diced
• Celery - 1 stalk, diced
• Tomato puree - 200 grams
• Beef broth - 500 ml
• Bay leaf - 1
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Polenta - 100 grams
• Parmesan cheese - 30 grams, grated
• Butter - 1 tablespoon
• Fresh parsley - for garnish

Steps

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the oxtail and sear on all sides until browned. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
3. Stir in the tomato puree and cook for 2 minutes. Add the beef broth, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer.
4. Return the oxtail to the pot, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 1.5 hours, or until the meat is tender and falls off the bone.
5. While the oxtail is cooking, prepare the polenta. In a separate pot, bring 500 ml of water to a boil. Gradually whisk in the polenta, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
6. Reduce the heat to low and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently until thickened. Stir in the butter and grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
7. Once the oxtail is done, remove it from the pot and shred the meat from the bones. Discard the bones and bay leaf.
8. Serve the shredded oxtail over a bed of creamy polenta, garnished with fresh parsley.

Nutrition

• Calories: 650
• Protein: 40 g
• Carbs: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Cholesterol: 85 mg
• Total Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in protein from oxtail, which is essential for muscle repair and growth.
• Polenta provides a good source of carbohydrates, offering energy for daily activities.

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