Lorcan and Fin Spiteri run Caravel, a 'cuisine-less' restaurant on a Dutch barge in Islington. The food is equal parts relaxed and glamorous, focusing on produce and seasonality, influenced by the food they grew up eating. This recipe makes the perfect Christmas main to serve over 'Friendmas'. It's great for sharing, spiced and unctuous. Get on it, ASAP.
Season the oxtail, and sear in a hot pan with a little bit of neutral oil until both sides have a golden crust. Set aside
Add the chopped carrot, celery, fennel, and garlic, Sauté briefly until soft, then deglaze with red wine, and go in with the chicken stock
Add the oxtail back in, along with orange peel, rosemary, thyme, ginger cake, and bay leaves. Pop into the oven at 140 C for 3-4 hours
Once the meat is super tender, shred it up and discard the bones. Mix the meat through the reduced sauce
Toast the milk buns in butter, then build the slider. Start with a good amount of the saucy shredded oxtail, then top with a slice of cheese. Melt under the grill or with a blow torch. Finish with pickled onions, and dig in!