Biltong making 101

Have you always wondered how biltong was made? As the Biltong Festival’s right around the corner, we thought we’d give you the tools to make your own biltong. So without further ado, we will start with…

1.       What you need to make the best biltong in the Karoo

5kg rump steak

500g salt

1 cup of brown sugar

1 cup of coriander seeds, cracked

2 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda

1 tablespoon cracked black pepper

1 cup red wine vinegar

2.       The process of making the best biltong in the Karoo

You start by slicing the meat into strips. If you would like your biltong to be a little moist inside you will cut the strips about 5cm wide. You can cut them thinner if you prefer.

Now mix the salt, pepper, cracked coriander, bicarbonate of soda and sugar together in a bowl to form a rubbing mixture.

You then take a large glass or stainless steel container; rub some of the mixture into each piece of meat make a single layer in the bottom of the container. Splash some of the vinegar over the layer of meat and then continue the same process until all the meat is layered and you have no vinegar left.

You now need to cover the container with cling film and leave it to marinade for 12-24 hours depending on the thickness of the meat and the intensity of the flavor you desire- 5cm thick strips should marinade for at least 18 hours.

Now you need to find a cool, dry and well ventilated place to hang the meat. Prepare ‘s’ shaped galvanized wire hooks to hang the meat on and hang them until the outside is dark and the center is according to your taste.

Depending on the dryness of the air and the ventilation, the time will vary. If you are in a hurry, use a slow fan to keep the air circulating around the meat.

And voila, you have your own homemade biltong...but if you would like to taste and talk to expert biltong makers you need to come hang with us at the best biltong Festival in the Karoo.  

Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival 2012, it's where you need to be this winter - 13th and 14th July, Somerset East Showgrounds.

 

Multiple Award-Winning Entertainment

Catch some of South Africa’s award-winning artists as they set the Karoo ablaze this winter. Zahara, Elvis Blue, Steve Hofmeyr, Professor and many more will be performing live at this year’s Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival…check out the programme for the two day event:

FRIDAY

Some of the greatest South African talent for your entertainment...you really should come hang with us.

SATURDAY

To download the complete programme visit: www.eastcapebiltongfestival.co.za. You can also catch us on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/biltongfestival as well as follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/biltongfestival.

Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival Media Launch 2012

Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival Media Launch 2012 Media Kit (sponsored by Maisha Development Engineers).

Marette Liddell (BCRM), Riaan van Jaarsveld (SAB), Johan Steyn (SAB) and Mayor Scott (BCRM) sampling some biltong (sponsored by Charlesstraat Butchery).  Photo supplied by Die Burger.

Members of the press Anna-Marie Kleinhans (Die Burger), Rene Sissing (Kingfisher FM), Tasmia Ismail (Die Burger) and Heilie Combrinck (UD News). Photo supplied by Die Burger.

Sarina Engelbrecht and Carlien Jooste from Design@Bay showing some of the artists performing at the Festival on the 14^th of July 2012. Photo supplied by Die Burger.

The Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival 2012 had its official Media Launch on the 4th of May 2012. Held at Castle Lager’s Headquarters in Perseverance, Port Elizabeth, the Media Launch attracted a variety of media as well as guests from the Blue Crane Route Municipality, Cacadu District Municipality, a performing artist at this year’s Festival and SAB.

                             

Each year, the Blue Crane Route Municipality's (BCRM) vision for the Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival is for it to grow and attract more sponsors and activities to introduce and include in the two-day family event. As a result of this vision, at this year's Biltong Festival Media Launch, apart from the main sponsor of the Festival SAB, guests got to sample some of the best biltong to be found in Somerset East, from Botha and Son Butchery (otherwise known as Charlesstraat Butchery). Guests also got to take home the biltong, which was included in the Media Kits. Botha and Son welcomed the opportunity to come on board as the biltong sponsor for this year's Media Launch and come Festival time, we hope their investment will be rewarded.


Maisha Development Engineers (MDE) is another sponsor to mention from this year's Launch. They are an engineering consultancy firm whose services range from: initiation and facilitation of projects, engineering design, operational and maintenance management, project management and training, as well as community development. Their offices are based both in East London and Butterworth. MDE's sponsorship allowed Design@Bay to offer the media and guests at the Launch a Media Kit full of information and branded Biltong Festival goodies. Their involvement was due to one of the directors of the company being from Somerset East.

The BCRM recognises that the Festival can only be more successful if the business people of the area are given an opportunity to take ownership of the Festival and benefit the most from this platform that has been created in their name and on their behalf.

At the Launch, Castle Lager and the Blue Crane Route Municipality representatives were proud to present the performing artists at this year’s Festival, which will include SAMA winners: Zahara, Elvis Blue and many more great South African artists such as Steve Hofmeyr, Arno Jordaan, Robbie Wessels, Jamali, Pofessor, Theuns Jordaan to name but a few.

For the full Festival Programme visit:  www.eastcapebiltongfestival.co.za as well as the Festival Facebook page: www.facebook.com/biltongfestival.

Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival 2012… ‘Come hang with us!’

Town Activities

Off the grounds activities at the 2012 Biltong Festival are the Gastronomical tour, which is a tour of all the restaurants, delis, diners, take away shops and pub and grills all around Somerset East. However, if your interests lie more in looking and learning about old and beautiful things, then the Heritage and Architectural tour is for you. Take a walk around Somerset East and learn about all the picturesque beauty that can be found.

Another activity that we will post more about closer to the time is the Biltong Festival Mountain Bike Ride.

Maps for the Gastronomical Route and the Heritage & Architectural Route can be downloaded below:

Heritage & Architectural Route Map - Click to Download

Gastronomical Route Map - Click to Download

Sensational Somerset East

Somerset East, a town at the foot of a mountain...

They say that street names and prominent buildings of a town give you an idea of its history. The streets in this town are lined with architecturally striking buildings and structures that tell of its very interesting heritage. This quaint town with its picturesque streets is worthy of one’s time.

My all time favourite photo of Somerset East was taken up Beaufort Street facing Nojoli Street, with the statue of Rev. Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr and the beautiful structure that is the N.G.Kerk behind it, peeking through the trees lining the street. There are many such photos to be taken and many such structures to be seen in Somerset East.

 As part of the new town activities during this year’s Biltong Festival, happening on the 13^th and 14^th of July 2012, you can take a timeout from the festivities and take the Heritage and Architectural tour of the town. For a bit of sustenance however, the Gastronomical tour is ideal as it catalogues all the restaurants, delis and pub & grills in town.

And maybe, you too will find your favourite thing in Somerset East.

PLEASE NOTE: The maps for the Gastronomical tour and the Heritage and Architectural tour will be launched on the 4^th of May.

YUM!

Last Saturday, the Friends of the Somerset East Museum Country Market is said to have been a very enjoyable affair.  Vega and Janet’s Autumn Chicken Salad Rolls were very popular with market attendees and the scrumptious Museum Apple Tart was enthusiastically enjoyed by everyone who tasted it. The idea of making it a signature dish for subsequent Markets was welcomed by all.

If you missed last weekend’s market don’t despair, because later in the year you can join the Friends of the Museum and be involved in supporting the well-being and the continuity of the two precious institutions by attending the next Friends of the Somerset East Museum Country Market in November.

For more information and enquiries contact:Ros Turner (BLUE CRANE TOURISM OFFICER)
042 243 1448 / 073 698 6539bluecranetourism@telkomsa.net

DID YOU KNOW?

NOJOLI STREET, the main street of Somerset East is, named after Princess Nojoli, who is thought to have lived in the area before the Dutch and British settlers arrived.

ANDRIES VOSLOO, who the Somerset East Hospital is named after, was a previous Administrator of the Cape and a true ‘Somersetter’, he is honoured by the fountain at the entrance to the City Hall in Nojoli Street (previously Charles Street).

DR. NGCIPE MONUMENT AND GRAVE— situated at the Ngcipe Library, honours Dr. Ngcipe for his involvement in the liberation struggle.

SOMERSET EAST MUSEUM – the Museum houses the original Slagtersnek Rebellion beam, which was used to hang five Boer leaders in 1815.

A day in the country...

“Lose yourself in nature and find peace.” – Anonymous

Somerset East, home of the annual Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival, is a quaint town that offers its residents a variety of activities to participate in.

One of these is the Country Market. For country products, gifts, fresh produce, plants and delicious lunches…come join the friends of the Somerset East Museum for an experience of Karoo food, culture and lifestyle at the Somerset East Country Market on the 14^th of April 2012.

With the Boschberg as backdrop, the market promises to be as exciting as the ones before…

For enquiries contact Ros Turner on 042 243 1448 or 073 698 6539.

CELEBRATION TIME!

I recently heard of a Xhosa celebration called “Umpantsi webedi”, which directly translated means “under the bed”, which is where one would keep African beer while it’s fermenting. This celebration doesn’t really have a deep meaning like the kinds of celebrations Xhosa people usually have…it was just an excuse for family and friends to come together and enjoy home brewed African beer (umqombothi).

Human beings are always finding ways to be joyful and happy; it is one of the things that make us feel alive - like carnivals and festivals...for instance the Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival.

Now we all know that biltong came about as a means to solve the problem of preserving meat before iceboxes or fridges came around. From its humble beginning to its iconic status around the globe, biltong is a common phenomenon in restaurants, at rugby games and in lunch boxes around South Africa.

So every winter, in a little town in the Karoo, a Festival kicks off dedicated specifically to the celebration of biltong. For those two days the town of Somerset East is the most alive it’s ever been for that year. For two days, people congregate in their numbers for a celebration in the name of biltong...much like the “Umpantsi webedi” celebration in the name of African beer.

Will we see you there?

The weeks have flown by and March is marching on. For the Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival, March brings the closing date for stall applications.

The application deadline for stalls is 31 March 2012. Interested stall owners and businesses can contact Marette Liddell on marette.liddell@lgnet.org.za or 042 243 1333 ext 6484. You can also download the Application Form from the Festival website.

Family...Fun...and BILTONG @ 2012 Festival

From the 13th to 14th of July 2012 we invite those with a ravenous appetite for fun (and biltong) to come and revel in the excitement with family activities, loads of socialising and of course...buckets full of biltong on the menu for the 2012 Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival!

STALLS

Stall bookings are now open and interested parties can contact Marette Liddell on 042 243 1333 ext 6484 or marette.liddell@lgnet.org.za for more information. You can, however, also download the Application Form from the Festival website.

Come on...come hang with us in Somerset East!