Oxtail stew

Name: Oxtail stew
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 3 h
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1.3kg/3lb oxtail, cut into chunky pieces (ask your butcher to do this for you); 3 tbsp plain flour; 3–4 tbsp sunflower oil; 2 onions, thinly sliced; 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 2 carrots, finely chopped; 2 celery stalks, finely chopped; 4–5 sprigs thyme (or ½ tsp dried thyme); 2 bay leaves; 300ml/½pint red wine; 500ml/18fl oz beef stock; 2 tbsp tomato purée; salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 tbsp finely chopped flatleaf parsley, to serve (optional)