Please help! How do I cook steak?

carolpinkdreamer

Thanks for your tips. I've picked up a few pointers there, such as marinades and leaving it to rest after cooking. I've always bought the best SUPERMARKET cuts but think I'll make a trip to a proper butcher in future. I'm also going to try the braising steak recipes too. Wish me luck!

Thanks again :beer:

fuzzgun19

In the past when I have cooked steak it has always turned out chewy.

I haven't bought it for ages, but today for a change have bought a medallion steak from tesco.

It says on the pack to grill or fry, and am wondering if anyone has any tips for cooking steak so it doesn't go chewy. I do like it well done, but how?

Daisymac_2

Ok I know this is not very convential, but I always cook Steak in the oven just in a baking tin with some salt, pepper and butter/oil, we like it well done so normally cook it for about 20 mins, just find because it is sitting in it's own juices and not cooked particulary fast it turns out nice and tender.

Penny-Pincher!!

OH cooks the steak as he always does it well.

Its normally Sirloin and he lightly rolls it, then puts a frying pan on with a smidge of oil and heats up very hot. Then he cooks 2 mins each side and serves up. I like it medium and OH/DD have medium rare.

HTH

PP
xx

Penelope_Penguin

If it were me, I wouldn't buy steak from Tesco IME, it's never hung for long enough, so is always chewy :rolleyes: I buy steak from the butcher or farm, and it's beautiful. DH cooks ours, a light fry with sliced onions and tomatoes.

I'll add this to the existing thread on cooking steak to keep ideas together.

Penny. x

competitionscafe

fuzzgun19 wrote: »

In the past when I have cooked steak it has always turned out chewy.

I haven't bought it for ages, but today for a change have bought a medallion steak from tesco.

It says on the pack to grill or fry, and am wondering if anyone has any tips for cooking steak so it doesn't go chewy. I do like it well done, but how?

I think well done steak will always be chewy - that's why some restaurant chefs will refuse to cook steaks well done as they see it as a waste of a prime cut.

But some tips which might help:

Leave the steak out of the fridge for a while before cooking it so that it's not fridge cold.

Cook it in a very hot pan so that it sears rather than steams!

Put a little bit of groundnut oil on the steak not in the pan (as the oil will burn)

Season the steak before and after cooking.

Try putting some butter on the steak just before removing it from the pan for extra succulence. Do it last minute so you don't burn the butter though.

For thick steaks or for well done you can sear the steak in the pan and then finish it by putting it in a hot oven (180/200) for 5 - 10 minutes. Otherwise the outside might be burned before the middle of the steak is cooked to your liking.

Rest the steak on a warm plate (cover lightly with foil) after cooking. After resting pour any juices over the steak.

Don't buy it from Tesco As said in the post above, beef needs to be well hung and the supermarkets don't do this as it costs extra (in storage and because the carcass loses weight (water) the longer it is hung for. Better off going to a good butcher or farm shop and ask them how long they hang their beef for. Beef should not be a bright red colour - that means it has not been hung and will be tough. Some supermarkets do sell aged (hung) beef steaks in their premium range - but this is what any decent butcher would do - it should be standard for all beef not just used as an excuse to have a more expensive 'premium' range. Having said that, if you really don't have access to a good butcher then Sainsburys 'Taste the Difference' rib-eye and Waitrose 'dry aged' Aberdeen Angus are both far better than average supermarket steak.

But going back to the first point - do try it medium (still cooked all the way through but pink in the middle with no blood) it really does make a difference.

For more tips, see this article:
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/how-to-cook-the-perfect-steak-941386.html

BaileyB

Guys looking for some help

I have only cooked steak 3-4 times and i always seem to get it wrong.

So after a few tips

What is the best steak to use and how long to cook for, i like my steak medium.

Any help would be great

Farway

I followed Gordon Ramsey's tips, which seems to be same as here

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/real_food/article4057638.ece [also gives guide times]

Always turns out fine, but can spit over the stove top as the steak hits the hot pan

onetomany

in the griddle pan the only way ,yum yum

nicksgirl237

I like the Delia rule that total cooking and resting time should be 10 mins. Applies to rare/med/well done. Think its 2 mins per side for medium (total 4) then 6 for resting. Makes it so easy if you are cooking multiple steaks!