There’s no doubt that oxtail is one of the best pieces of meat to cook with. It has a lot of fat that adds flavour to your meals when cooked for the right time. The meat falls off the bone and is not dry and chewy. But what people don’t realise when cooking, is that it is the prep work that is the most crucial part of the cooking process.

I was watching an episode of Come Dine With Me South Africa, yes I am obsessed with this show. In this episode, the one contestant found hair in her oxtail which I found so weird because the contestant who cooked it, had braided hair. As a person who always braids her hair, it’s very rare- not impossible- that hairpieces go, rogue, and fall in your food while cooking. And I dance, chase kids around the house while cooking with no hair in the food. It all goes down to the butchery. When they cut the meat, although it looks absolutely amazing, there are short hairs on the tail that pass even their strict protocols. So when you purchase it, it is your job to wash the meat and inspect each and every piece. I really mean inspect. Hairs get trapped under the first layer of fat and the texture is straight and black. While your meat is getting washed under salty water, pick up each piece and look at each one.

I might sound like I am repeating myself but I just want to make sure that I get my point across. There’s nothing as embarrassing as someone finding “hair” in your meat after you have spent a long time cooking and seasoning it. Not to mention, Oxtail is not the cheapest of meat, especially when you buy it from a reputable butchery.

Do not skip this inspection step.

Also, buy yourself a pressure cooker. It cuts the cooking time in half and also infuses flavour EVERYWHERE!