Hosting The Perfect Summer Barbecue With Biltong Chief

From stress-free hosting tips to how best to cook your meat, we chat to online meat butchery Biltong Chief about all things barbecue.

With summer in full swing, there’s nothing we love more than an al fresco barbecue feast. Just picture it: beer in hand, surrounded by your squad, and with the smoky smell of the grill drifting through the breeze – ultimate bliss! Here in Hong Kong, we’re lucky to have an abundance of free public barbecue sites, from beach pits with endless ocean views to shaded country park spots and more. That’s the location sorted then. But what about the food? Enter Biltong Chief.

Originally specialising in the traditional South African cured meat snack Biltong, online meat butchery Biltong Chief has since expanded its offering to include a wide selection of quality barbecue meats. Think Grass-Fed Steaks, Farm-Style Sausages, Pre-Cooked and Marinated Pork Ribs, and more. Promising excellent value for money, alongside fantastic customer service and quick delivery, Biltong Chief is an obvious choice for all your barbecue needs.

With this in mind, it’s no surprise to learn that the Biltong Chief team knows how to host a feast. So, with the season of outdoor cookouts upon us, we decided to ask them for advice on throwing our very own. From how best to cook your meat, to drink recommendations, locations and more, here’s how to host the perfect summer barbecue.

First things first, let’s talk about the food! What’s the best way to cook your meat?

We are realistic with what our customers are looking for, as often it’s just you hosting a barbecue for your mates. Cooking ribs from scratch doesn’t always suit the fast pace of Hong Kong. We conveniently have Pre-Cooked and Marinated Pork Ribs which require only light charring, allowing you to serve restaurant quality ribs in only 15 minutes.

When cooking steaks, take them out the fridge and vacuum bag at least 30 minutes prior to cooking. This allows the meat to reach room temperature. Over this period, you can repeatedly salt and dab off any juices with a paper towel (a dry surface will char easier). Lightly oil and season before cooking, and use as much heat as you’re able to generate from your barbecue. Lastly, it’s important to sear your meat on all sides with a charring colour. For example, a Fillet or Tenderloin Medallion should get short bursts on up to six sides.

Apart from meats, what other bbq snacks do you recommend?

We find cheese boards, biltong and charcuterie snack platters make for great appetisers. A very popular item of ours, the Wet Biltong Chunks is a gourmet, thick-cut biltong which is commonplace as an entrée item at steakhouses in South Africa. Simply add a rustic farm loaf, dips and veggies for guests to snack away as others arrive.

What drinks should we serve with your meats?

Our air-dried beef biltong products always go great with an ice-cold beer. You can also contrast the paprika, masala and garlic flavours of our Chilli Bites with a clean Sauvignon or Chenin Blanc.

Boerewors, a farm-style traditional beef sausage with notes of coriander, clove and nutmeg, is perfectly complemented by sweet and spicy spirits. A household favourite in South Africa is the Brandy and Coke; alternatively a spiced rum or Bourbon whisky would also work well.

What is your top tip for stress-free hosting?

Preparation and teamwork are key! We recommend ordering your meat online for delivery in advance, and then asking friends to help with salads, snacks and drinks.

When it comes to what to order, start with a nice cut of grass or grain-fed beef or free-range lamb (aim for around 200 to 250g per person). Then add an easy cooking product, such as our Mozambique-style Peri-Peri Chicken Drumettes or Sweet & Sticky BBQ Pork Ribs.

Most important of all, make sure that you bring a lekker (good) vibe!

Finally, what are some of your favourite barbecue spots in Hong Kong?

Chung Hom Kok Beach, a secluded and beautiful stretch between Repulse Bay & Stanley! It’s close and easy for those on Hong Kong island to come and go, yet just “off the beaten path” enough to deter the masses. There is a simple shop for drinks, but you do need to take your own charcoal, grid and supplies. You’ll also find plenty of BBQ-pits, as well as water sinks to make tidying up easy!

Sassy Perk: Enjoy free delivery on orders over $700 using the code SASSYSAP. Offer valid until Monday, 31 August,2020.

Biltong Chief, +852 5964 4418 (WhatsApp), [email protected], www.biltongchief.com

Brought to you in partnership with Biltong Chief.