heat a frying pan until it's as hot as hot can be - no needd to add oil, Put the steak in for three minutes - don't fiddle with it. Turn it after 3 minutes and cook for 3 more minutes on that side. this is for a medium thickness steak cooked medium rare. the kitchen will be smoky but it will be worth it.
I like chipsor jacket pots with steak but also nice is mashed potato with a little cream, butter and dijon mustard added
Don't forget to let your steak come up to room temp before cooking it especially if you like it rare, if you cook it straight from the fridge the middle will still be cold when the outside is well done.
Has to be good quality fillet steak. A couple of hours before cooking remove from fridge and rub each side with garlic puree (or fresh garlic) and coarse ground black pepper. Cover with clingfilm and leave at room temp. Alibobs method is fine but I now use a very hot griddle pan as there is no need to use oil. Seal each side for about 30 seconds then cook as preferred.
At the same time I quickly fry some thinly sliced onion until just browning, add chooped mushrooms and red wine and quickly reduce.
Serve with baby potatoes (new British ones in summer) and choice of veg. I like microwaved mange tout/sugarsnap peas/ baby carrots etc.
As a guide, you can use your parts of your face to tell how well it is cooked.i.e.
When you touch your cooked steak, If it feels similiar to the firmness of your cheek, the steak is rare.
If it feels like the firmness of your chin, its medium,
and like your forehead, its well done.