The narrator enjoys a plate of Dominican oxtail guisado prepared by their mother, feeling nourished and reminded of significant life events associated with the dish. This meal triggers a desire to learn the recipe before the mother's upcoming trip to the Dominican Republic. As they cook together, the narrator experiences a deep connection with their mother and memories of their heritage, sensing the importance of passing down this tradition. The aromatic herbs used further elevate the cooking experience, creating an intimate bond between the cooking process and familial love.
Soon my mom presented me with a steaming plate of tender Dominican oxtail guisado in a red sauce. As I filled my belly, I could feel myself grow stronger, more alert.
Making oxtail guisado entails a simple yet lengthy process, sometimes requiring three hours of slow-simmered cooking time, which was part of the reason I'd never bothered to learn how to make the dish myself.
The dish tracked where I'd been, who I'd been. Seeing my mother playing with my children created a sense of urgency within me. 'I want you to teach me how to make oxtails,' I told my mother.
The dried oregano bunches she'd bought from the Dominican grocery store were so aromatic I wanted to hang them in my bathroom, smell them every morning.
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