Steak for a Valentine...!

[Scullywoo]

Hi.  I want to cook a lovely steak for boyfriend tonight. Never cooked a steak, so I need a quick but tasty recipie and what is the best steak to buy..???  Thanks and Happy Valentines!!

[ursula62]

Fillet steak is the very best, but it is very expensive.   Sirloin is next best, and rump is next after that. Don't bother with "frying steak" as it is rubbish.

Simple is best with steak. Heat the griddle pan or non stick pan first, then grind some black pepper into the pan and place the meat on top of the pepper. Heat gently turning occasionally until the meat is done as you like it.  It will pick up the peppercorns as it cooks.

It depends on the thickness of the steak, but generally, it is best to leave the meat a little pink as it has more flavour. It shouldn't take more than about 4 minutes each side to be done to perfection.

[Scullywoo]

Ursula62 - very helpful thankyou!  somebody said fillet is best but expensive too.  is fillet just as easy to cook??  also, should i use olive oil, butter or anything else while i'm heating the pan?? does the steak need banging with a rolling pan first too?  THANKS!!

[Clanad]

I don't know what the proper term would be in England, but here in western U.S. a rib eye steak is preferered by cattelmen who raise the beef.  Should be at least 3/4" thickness (1" is better).  If you don't have a grill available, use a heavy, preferrably cast iron skillet.  Salt (coarse grain Kosher) and pepper to taste. Brush skillet with butter.  Leave on one side for 10 to 12 minutes in heated skillet, medium to high heat, turn with tongs, (never pierce with a fork) and 10 to 12 minutes on other side.  In the mean time, in another skillet, heat 3 tbsp. butter, add 1/4 cup Worcestershire and add two cups sliced mushrooms.  Heat until mushrooms are browned, serve over steak.  Test steak for doneness by pressing on top with spatula, some juices should flow and steak readily bounds back against the pressure.  This will produce a medium rare steak.  The rib eye is the "eye of the T-bone steak, has slightly more fat and thus a better taste than even the filet'.  Salad and baked potato to round out. Luck!...

[ursula62]

Fillet is very easy to cook. You can brush the steak with butter or oil if you prefer, but red meat has enough fat in it to survive being cooked with no fat, as long as you have good non stick cookware. Or you can grill the steak instead of pan frying it.

I prefer to use the butter on boiled baby new potatoes than waste it cooking when it's not really needed. ;-)

[ursula62]

Never bang fillet or sirloin with a rolling pin - banging is only for meat that may be tough.

[graemer]

So Scully, tell us...how did it go? What did you decide on?