Biltong Slab – The Connoisseur’s Choice
Can’t get enough of a good thing? Well, then you’re certainly not alone. Especially when it comes to the greatest meat snack in this or any other universe: biltong! Pre-sliced pieces are incredibly handy and universally known, but wielding an entire slab allows you customized carving to your culinary heart’s content. If you haven’t done so before, then switch things up for a change and choose the huge, folks. You’ll soon find out why fab rhymes with slab.
What is a biltong slab?
And why is it the connoisseur’s choice? Simply, because they enjoy and are knowledgeable about fine food with an appreciation of all the subtleties involved, not only when it comes to superb flavor, but also upon regarding a food item for its versatility and sheer irresistibility. Any bon-vivant worth their salt knows that when it comes to biltong – South African inspired dried beef at its finest – nothing beats the mighty OG… a nicely succulent biltong slab. It’s where all the other slices come from, folks. They’re just chips off the old block.
Biltong slabs are the thicker and longer cuts of meat that are initially cured in a combination of vinegar and natural spices including coriander, black pepper and salt, before being trimmed down into the more familiar bite-sized and pre-packed slices. Vastly different to beef jerky, this glorious meat snack that originated in South Africa, contains no artificial flavors and is air dried via a centuries old drying process that contains zero heat, thus leaving all nutrients healthily intact. While many different cuts can be utilized, MBT uses Eye of Round because it’s the leanest, most protein-packed source of steak available. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as cutting your own biltong straight off the slab, so give it a try and discover why it’s South Africa’s unofficial national treasure.
How to cut a biltong slab 101
There are many ways to trim the perfect cut of beef from your slab. Some prefer to use biltong cutters (a board with a hinged blade sturdily attached), hand crank mechanical cutters and, at the high end, even expensive electric cutters mostly used by butchers and biltong suppliers. These are all nice to have, but when it comes to deciding upon the perfect dry slice of biltong fit for any cheese platter or charcuterie board, then all you really need is a good sharp knife and a steady hand. A cutting board or large plate will also go a long way towards assisting you. When trimming your slab into smaller pieces, remember to slice against the grain of the meat. Hold the slab firmly with one hand and carefully slice it to the thickness of your choice with the other. Practise makes perfect and easy sure does it, so get started without delay.
Thin or thick?
Thick or thin? It depends on what mood you’re in. It’s what makes wielding a slab of dried meat so much fun – you get to decide; just carve off a piece whenever the fancy strikes. In its uncut form, biltong slabs retain more moisture and tenderness than smaller pre-cut pieces of air-dried meat. The thinner you slice it, the more juicy and succulent it’ll be. Most connoisseurs agree that slicing it to a thickness of roughly 1/8″ is the ultimate way for biltong to be enjoyed, so give it a try!
Biltong’s a unique delicacy that delivers on exceptional savory taste, so whether you choose to slice it thick or thin, carving it fresh is the ultimate way to experience air-dried meat that’s a treat to eat. MBT’s melt-in-your-mouth beef slabs are the perfect healthy snack for sharing or all-day grazing. Just be warned: one bite is never enough and you’ll keep coming back for more.
So what makes the slab the connoisseur’s choice?
Quite frankly, its consummate versatility, tender freshness and enchanting, ageless appeal. There are masterpieces waiting to be freed from every treasured slab, so what are you waiting for? The possibilities of adding medium biltong strips, large rustic chunks or even the finest slivers to existing food recipes are endless. See more on this topic in a companion blog to this one, entitled “Different Uses For A Sliced Biltong Slab”.
So, to wrap things up: the sky’s the gastronomic limit, folks. Go ahead and find out what all the fuss is about by getting your hands on some robust, yet dreamily tender Made By True biltong slabs and embark on a culinary voyage full of delightful surprises and exciting exploration. Discover why this form of biltong has been the connoisseur’s choice for centuries and you might even become one along the way.
