Want to cook steak like a pro? Here's the low down on
how anyone can cook steak CHEF STYLE.
First of all, you do NOT need a choice cut of steak to have the most FABULOUS steak ever made. Now, I'm not saying that I don't LOVE, and I mean absolutely LOVE a tender filet, because I do. However, if you are feeding more than 5 people and the money tree hasn't grown in your back yard, this is not the most practical of ideas. SO what can you do?
Chuck Steak, Sirloin Steak, or even New York Strip. These are your buddies. I enjoy using chuck steak because it seems to be the most inexpensive and people are just blown away when they realize how GOOD even a "lesser" cut of meat can be. So much so, that there have been chuck steaks that have won national contests - it's ALL in the way that you prepare them.
The night before you plan to grill, you must marinate your steaks - ALL NIGHT. This is the honest to goodness key to a perfect steak. I have read about using rubs, and not spicing the meat until right before grilling, hodge-podge! Flavor rules the steak world.
There are different kinds of marinades to use, and you will have to try some to see what is your fav, but here are some keys and some recipes to get you on your way.
Key: Use CITRUS. This helps to tenderize the steak and brighten the flavors.
Marinade Recipe: Lemon Worcestershire
1 tsp lemon peel, fresh and grated
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup fresh parsley sprigs
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tbsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp ground red pepper
Kosher Salt and Fresh Ground Black Pepper to Your Taste.
Key: Garlic is a Chef's Best Friend!
Marinade Recipe: Lemon Garlic
1 small onion, chopped
1 small bottle YOUR FAVORITE steak sauce
1/2 cup FRESH lemon juice
Kosher Salt and Fresh Ground Black Pepper to Your Taste.
Key: You can never go wrong marinating dark and red meats in red wine.
Marinade Recipe: Red Wine and Teriyaki
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
3 tbsp Honey
Kosher Salt and Fresh Ground Black Pepper to Your Taste.
Key: Balance your flavors by keeping them in one style.
Marinade Recipe: Mexi-Lime
1/2 cup lime juice
5 medium garlic cloves, sliced thin
1/2 small shallot, finely chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
3 tbsp honey
1/4 tsp ground red pepper
Kosher Salt and Fresh Ground Black Pepper to Your Taste.
Key: One of my all time favorite fall back plans, Liquid Smoke and Hot Sauce. You can mix these with nearly any seasoning and oil or sauce for a great grilled flavor.
Marinade Recipe: Sizzlin' Blue Cheese
1/8 cup Liquid Smoke
1/4 cup Hot Sauce
Kosher Salt and Fresh Ground Black Pepper to Your Taste.
Pick one or try your own, but marinate your steaks over night in the fridge. That's the key!
The Next day:
Start your grill. I believe that the only perfect grill out there is a charcoal grill with some smokey woodchips added to the mix. In order to cook your steak perfectly there is a trick in how you start your grill. To get even cooking and perfect grill marks, use a chimney to start your flames. After the charcoal is RED HOT within the chimney, poor it's contents into the grill bed evenly and after a few minute, your ready to grill.
Remove your steak from the marinade no sooner than transporting it to the grill. Once on the grill, leave the steak in place for about 4 minutes and then flip. Check your Steak for desired done-ness after another 2 to 4 minutes, and voila. You are ready to serve.
One other consideration if you really want to wow a crowd, make a second marinade at the same time that you make your steak marinade but ADD A HALF STICK OF BUTTER and keep set aside in your refrigerator. After starting your grill, take your second "Specialized" marinade and put it in a grill-safe sauce pan. Let this heat to a boil on the grill while your steaks are being grilled and then, when plating the steak, cover it one final time in hot bubbling marinade. FABULOUS!
When it comes to grilling a perfect steak, there are many schools of thought. This years hottest trend is all about the marinade. I have been using marinades for meat religiously for a long time and I tell you, it beats having to spend more money on finer cuts and hands down delivers the most awesome palate pleasing flavors around. If you want that perfect steak, turn your attention here.
This is the way that grilling legends are made.
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