Learn more about our indulgent ruby port sirloin joints from Simon Benning...

<p>Enjoy a chef-style family feast this year with a top-quality, <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/beef-steaks-sauces/asda-extra-special-ruby-port-drenched-sirloin/1000383184854?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=article_tastemakers-ruby-port-beef&utm_campaign=Good-Living" target="_blank">Ruby Port Drenched Sirloin joint</a>, thanks to Simon Benning who is passionate about all things beef.</p>
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<p>‘I’m a chef by trade and started working in restaurants in before moving into product development in,’ says Simon Benning, New Product Development Manager at ABP Beef. Just hearing him talk about what he and the team do, the skills involved and the time it takes to bring a new product to market, is a joy.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>He’s a man who cares about taking the best produce and creating something truly restaurant-worthy by celebrating classical techniques and all the while keeping in mind the ease of cooking in the home kitchen, particularly during the festive chaos.</p>
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<p>‘I use my cheffing background when developing concepts with the team – it’s a chance to be creative, which is something I loved about being in a pressurised kitchen. Think about ingredients like truffle or miso – who would have thought five years ago that they’d be everyday ingredients now? But we like to push the boundaries and get those umami flavours when we’re developing new dishes. Ultimately, though, we want to create something we know customers will enjoy,’ he tells us.</p>
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<h2>Succulent sensation</h2>
<p>This year, Simon and the team have created a jewel in the crown when it comes to your festive table – the oh-so succulent <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/beef-steaks-sauces/asda-extra-special-ruby-port-drenched-sirloin/1000383184854?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=article_tastemakers-ruby-port-beef&utm_campaign=Good-Living" target="_blank">Ruby Port Drenched Sirloin</a>. Listening to the care and knowledge behind making this the best it can be is enough to get the taste buds going. ‘Obviously, we start off with a really good piece of British sirloin beef. Part of our vision was to trim it, so it mimics a yule log, so we do that after its 21-day maturation,’ explains Simon.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>‘The sirloin is then put in a small vacuum, which gently massages the meat to take up all that liquid and flavour,’ Simon explains. It’s a technique that makes total sense when explained by an expert and one Simon says he hasn’t seen used on beef before, but it works magnificently and results in an extremely tender, fully flavoured piece of meat.&nbsp;</p>
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<h2>Ready to roast</h2>
<p>In terms of prepping it for the big day, most of the heavy lifting has been done by Simon and the team. ‘The key is getting the joint to room temperature before cooking it and starting with a very hot oven, which almost sears the meat to keep all that flavour in before turning the oven very low to gradually cook the meat,’ he explains. The joint also comes with a rich finishing sauce made with beef stock, red wine, sage, thyme, and seasoning. ‘Pop half of this on the joint   minutes before it’s ready to come out of the oven and you’ll get a luscious, shiny glaze on the meat – but make sure you allow the beef to rest before serving with the remaining sauce. It gives the meat a chance to relax so you get the most succulent slices, whether that’s for Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year,’ Simon advises.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>So, will chef Simon be carving up a <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/beef-steaks-sauces/asda-extra-special-ruby-port-drenched-sirloin/1000383184854?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=article_tastemakers-ruby-port-beef&utm_campaign=Good-Living" target="_blank">Ruby Port Drenched Sirloin</a> this year? ‘I’m not really into turkey to be honest but my family is, so I’ll be cooking both – this and game pie are two dishes I just can’t resist!’</p>

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<h2>Feeling inspired by our Tastemakers story?</h2> 
Try serving up our <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/beef-steaks-sauces/asda-extra-special-ruby-port-drenched-sirloin/1000383184854?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=article_tastemakers-ruby-port-beef&utm_campaign=Good-Living" target="_blank">Extra Special Sirloin</a> this Christmas, it's sure to go down a treat!</p>
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<p><a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/beef-steaks-sauces/asda-extra-special-ruby-port-drenched-sirloin/1000383184854" target="_blank"><strong>Asda Extra Special Ruby Port Drenched Sirloin</strong></a></p>
<p>A luxurious option for your Christmas dinner centrepiece. Our 21-day matured sirloin is soaked in Ruby port for nine days and accompanied with a port drizzling sauce for extra juiciness.</p>
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<p>Make sure to stock up on everything you need at <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=article_tastemakers-ruby-port-beef&utm_campaign=Good-Living" target="_blank">Asda</a> or pop into <a href="https://storelocator.asda.com/" target="_blank">your local store</a>.</p>

Beef - Meet the Tastemakers

By Asda Good Living,26th October 2023

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