Beef Biltong Chilli Smoked Cheddar Food

BEEF BILTONG CHILLI & SMOKED CHEDDAR

Steps:

• Put the biltong in a food processor and blitz to a powder as fine as you can make it. Tip into a bowl and set aside. Scatter the onion in a dry saucepan and cook over a low heat for about 30 mins until very dark and soft, adding a little oil if needed to stop it burning. Meanwhile, heat the 2 tbsp oil in a wide pan and crumble in the mince. Cook on a low heat for 30 mins - it will release lots of liquid, which needs to evaporate, then eventually it will sizzle in its own fat. If the pan becomes too dry, drizzle in a little more oil. Towards the end of the cooking time, stir the mince until it becomes speckled with crisp brown bits. Mix in the cumin, coriander and chipotle paste, then stir in the stock, bring to a simmer and cook for 10 mins.
• Tip the caramelised onions into the food processor (no need to wash it) and blitz until smooth. Add the onion purée to the chilli along with most of the biltong and the beans. Stir and simmer for 20 mins until rich and thick. Season with the lime juice and cayenne, and keep on a low heat for a few mins more.
• Ladle the chilli into a bowl and sprinkle over the cheese, the remaining biltong, sliced jalapeños and a little puffed rice. Finish with the lime zest and coriander leaves. Serve with tortilla wraps or over brown rice.

SOUTH AFRICAN BILTONG

Steps:

• Cut the beef into strips about 4cm thick. Pack the meat into a smallish bowl, so that it fits tightly.
• Add the vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Leave for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix the coriander and pepper together in another bowl.
• In a third bowl, mix the salt, sugar and bicarbonate of soda together.
• Remove the meat from the marinade, but reserve the marinade for later use.
• Add the beef to the bowl of spices, mixing it around until evenly coated. Save any spices that don't stick.
• Bury the spiced beef in the salt and the sugar mixture and leave it for 3 hours.
• Remove the beef from the brine and dip it back into the reserved vinegar marinade for another 5 minutes.
• Remove the beef from the marinade and using the vinegar, wash all the salt off (don't skip this bit or the biltong will be unbearably salty).
• Squeeze the beef to remove as much liquid as possible. Roll in the spices once more. The meat is now ready for hanging.
• Cut lengths of string, and tie them tightly around one end of each beef strip. Tie the string to the top of your hanging contraption and make sure that they hang freely without touching anything on the sides or bottom.
• Leave the strips hanging for 3-20 days in a warm, dry place. It is difficult to say exactly how long it will take for the biltong to reach the correct stage, it's basically when the meat is as tough as old boots!

GROUND BEEF CHILI

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven, cook the beef and next 3 ingredients over medium heat until meat is browned and vegetables are tender; drain.
• Stir in the beans and remaining ingredients,except for additional onions and cheddar cheese.
• Bring to a boil; reduce heat; simmer uncovered, for 30 minutes or until chili reaches desired thickness.
• Ladle into serving bowls; garnish with chopped onion and cheddar cheese, if desired.