all sides are covered. Reserve onion. Heat oil in large Dutch oven until hot. Brown oxtails.
reserved onion, tomato, bell pepper, chile and garlic to pan and saute lightly, scraping up brown bits. Add hot water and molasses and stir well. Return oxtails to pan and cook over low heat for 1-1/2 hours. Add thyme sprig and continue to cook 30 minutes longer.