Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Dehydrator Recipe - South African Biltong


All South Africans know that life without biltong is very dull indeed, and living overseas does make that on it's own very trying. 
Biltong is similar to what the rest of the world understands under "Jerky" except that biltong isn't made with minced meat, rather with chunks or big pieces of meat.

The best cut of beef would be Silver-side, but as I am not sure how to call it in German, and meat is so costly here, I make biltong with beef ragout, or whatever I can get my hands on, preferably organic.

To make biltong, you will need:


  • Meat - however much you intend on drying
  • Spices - I am using the rest of my home-bought South African BBQ spice, but you can also use good old plain salt and pepper
  • Vinegar - I am using a herbed vinegar, but again, it will crystallize which you prefer the more you make it
  • A dehydrator or oven on very low heat. - We use our dehydrator for many an hour throughout the week, I love my Stöckli. (I will be talking about dehydrators at a later point)
Start by placing your meat in a container, and cover it with the vinegar.
Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes, stirring the meat now and then to coat it well. 



Once the meat has soaked for 10 minutes or so, empty the vinegar off the meat.



 Spice the meat really well. With the drying, the meat loses a bit of taste, so rather be a little heavy handed with the salt, as once it is dry it isn't really possible to re-salt it very well.


Once the meat is coated to your liking, place in the dehydrator and dry at 70° Celsius until dry.




Once dry, pack in individual bags and seal. 
That is if anything is left once it is finished, I rarely have anything to put away :) 

Hope you enjoy this recipe.

I will be back with many more in the upcoming months ahead.

We would love to hear from you, please leave your comments below.







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13 comments:

  1. Yum! I love biltong, though I've never made it only bought it at a major market, so delicious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Handmaden,
      Well now you can! So easy and delicious, let me know how it turns out!!
      x

      Delete
  2. My husband would love this! Thanks for linking up at my Pin Me Linky Party.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Diana,
      I hope you give it a try, really not too much effort, but so much taste!
      Thanks for visiting.
      x

      Delete
  3. I've never ever had biltong our sprouted bread before - these are very interesting recipes! Thanks for linking up :)

    Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sarah,
      Hope you will try them, Biltong is a BIG South African favourite, and sooo yummy!!
      Thanks for visiting.
      x

      Delete
  4. I agree we do miss things when we move away from where they are traditionally served often. Glad you shared your recipe!

    Visiting today from the Harvest of Friends hop and I am your latest follower.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mail4Rosey,
      Thanks so much for the follow, am following you back (Marigoldsloft) :)
      Have a super day.
      x

      Delete
  5. Yay! This looks wonderful. I look forward to trying to make something similar. Thank you for sharing!

    http://heresmytakeonit.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kelly,
      Let me know how it turns out :)
      x
      Natalie

      Delete
  6. This looks so yummy! You make it look so easy, that I have to try it. Thanks so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looks yummy...! I love biltong. I cannot wait to try this with my dehydrator. Thanks Natalie.

    ReplyDelete

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Natalie and Stefan

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