Tender Beef Steak

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A beef steak is a classic dish that's often enjoyed for its rich flavor and tender texture. Here's a basic recipe for cooking a delicious beef steak.

Ingredients:

  • 1 or more pieces of beef steaks
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Olive oil or cooking oil
  • Optional seasonings: garlic powder, dried herbs (such as thyme, rosemary or oregano), and butter

Instructions:

  1. Choose the Steak:

    1. Select high-quality beef steaks with good marbling (intramuscular fat), as it contributes to tenderness and flavor. Popular choices include ribeye, sirloin, filet mignon, and New York strip.

  2. Preparation:

    1. Take the steaks out of the refrigerator about 30-60 minutes before cooking. This allows them to come closer to room temperature, which promotes even cooking.

  3. Seasoning:

    1. Pat the steaks dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps with searing. Season both sides of the steaks generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Optionally, you can also add garlic powder or dried herbs for extra flavor.

  4. Preheat the Pan:

    1. Heat a heavy skillet (cast iron is ideal) over high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil or another high-heat cooking oil and let it heat until it shimmers. The pan should be very hot to achieve a good sear.

  5. Searing the Steak:

    1. Place the seasoned steaks into the hot skillet. You should hear a sizzling sound as the meat hits the pan. Allow the steaks to sear without moving them for a few minutes, until a brown crust forms on the bottom. The exact time will depend on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness. A general guideline is 3-4 minutes for medium-rare.

  6. Flipping and Cooking:

    1. Use tongs to carefully flip the steaks and sear the other side for a similar amount of time as the first side. For medium-rare, you might cook an additional 3-4 minutes.

  7. Optional: Add Butter and Aromatics:

    1. In the last minute of cooking, you can add a knob of butter and some crushed garlic cloves, thyme, or rosemary to the pan. Tilt the pan and use a spoon to baste the steaks with the melted butter and aromatics.

  8. Resting:

    1. Remove the cooked steaks from the pan and let them rest on a cutting board for a few minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute and results in a juicier steak.

  9. Slicing and Serving:

    1. After resting, slice the steaks against the grain (the direction of the muscle fibers) to ensure tenderness. Serve immediately as a main course with your favorite sides.

Remember that cooking times will vary based on the thickness of the steak and your preferred level of doneness.

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