AGED STEAKS from The PRIME BEEF Company

I recently found out that the legendary ARTURO,
our family's suki for over 30 years,
the master butcher of the Garcia's Supermarket on E.Rod,
had retired to his native Aklan right before X'mas 2006.

I grew up enjoying his bonhomie
whenever I'd accompany my mom or Lola Sally
to get absurd amounts of meat for our parties in Pampanga.

My grandmother passed away in September 2006,
and Arturo retired soon after.

Truly,
The End of an Era for the Hizon foodies,
as my cousin Charee decreed.



Well,
I guess it's time to create a new tradition.

While aged steaks are still available at Garcia's,
somehow, the experience is less complete
without Arturo's welcoming smile.

And so when I drove past the
PRIME BEEF COMPANY
on my way home from the Ateneo
a couple of weeks ago,

I couldn't resist stopping when I saw the sign for
"AGED STEAKS".



what's the big deal about "aged steaks"?

let's find out the meat of the matter from:
www.askthemeatman.com:


Dry aging occurs while the beef is hanging in a refrigerated cooler,
at a specific temperature and humidity,
for 10 to 28 days after harvest and prior to cutting.

When beef is dry aged two things happen.

First, moisture evaporates from the muscle
creating a greater concentration of beefy flavor and taste.

Secondly, the beef’s natural enzymes break down the fibrous,
connective tissue in the muscle, tenderizing it.
Most of the tenderizing activity occurs in the the first 10 to 14 days.

Today the "wet" process is primarily used for aging steaks.
Wet aging is done by allowing the beef to age in a vacuum packed bag.


I love the rich maroon color of aged steaks,
and these 21-day aged steaks from the Prime Beef Company,
with the fat left untrimmed,
are substantial inch-thick carnivore's delights.

At around P800/kilo,
or roughly P200/steak,
they aren't the cheapest cuts you can buy;

most local steaks are available
at P250/kilo or less.

but believe this Meat Lover,
each bite is worth your grand extravagance!!!

(besides,
i'd stake that steaks this great
will cost you at least P500 in any fine establishment;
but what could be "finer" than grilling in your own home?)



The steaks have the perfect bite:

your inner caveman will want to devour the juicy slab,
while your outer 21st century sophisticate
will want to savour the tenderness,
and yes,
slowly masticate to truly appreciate the true taste of BEEF.


I'll give these steaks the highest rating,
a Triple A:

A for Aged,
A for Awesomeness,
and an
A for Arturo's Approval!!!


(that's actually 4As, but whaddaheck...!!!)



THE PRIME BEEF COMPANY
155 Kamias Road Extension,
Quezon City

telephone numbers:
926-5647
926-5664