Pan seared steak is easier than you might think.  You’ll need a heavy skillet, olive or other vegetable oil, tongs and, of course, your favorite steak. Be sure to turn on your kitchen ventillator to remove smoke and airborne oil that occurs while cooking.  The cooking times given are for steaks that are about 1? to 1-1/4? thick.

First, the skillet: Well-seasoned cast-iron is ideal, if you have one.  The next best choice is heavy aluminum (can be non-stick, but doesn’t have to be).  The two main things to remember is that searing a steak requires steady, even heat; the other is that the skillet should be large enough to avoid crowding your steaks.

Steaks should be barely cool or close to room temperature.  Pat them well with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.  Otherwise, the steaks will steam instead of sear.  Heat skillet over a medium-high heat until very hot, then add enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan to a depth of about one-quarter inch.  When the oil begins to smoke, use your tongs to place each steak in the skillet at least one-half inch apart.

Now, leave them alone!  The point is to allow the surface of the steak to brown evenly and thoroughly.  An easy way to see if they’re ready to flip is to try moving them a bit with your tongs.  If they don’t move fairly easily, then wait a little longer.  Gently shake the pan (away from you, then towards you) to move the oil around.  When the steaks move easily with your tongs, pick them up one at a time, shake the pan to redistribute the oil and then place them back in the skillet, uncooked side down.

Repeat the browning step after flipping the steaks, until the other side is seared.  If you like your steak cooked rare, they’ll almost be done when both sides have been seared.  For medium-rare, turn the heat down to medium and flip them over to the side that seared first.  Cook about 4 to 5 minutes, then flip and cook an additional 4 to 5 minutes.  Remove from heat, and let them rest about 10 minutes before serving.

Tomorrow, broiling steak in your gas or electric oven.

Why Grilling, Searing and Broiling Makes a Flavorful Difference

For those of you who’ve asked, “I don’t have an outdoor grill — what other
ways are there to cook steak?” today’s post is for you.  Grilling is a great
 way to cook a steak and many of you grill year-round.  But, did you know that
 pan-frying in a skillet and oven broiling will bring out the same richness of
 flavor in steak that occurs with grilling?

There’s a complex chemical reaction that takes place whenever proteins such as
beef or other meats are subjected to a source of dry, high heat (the common term
for this is called the “browning-reaction”).  Simply put, the result of this
chemical change is a deeper, more intensely-flavored steak and that can be
achieved by searing in a skillet or broiling under a heating element, as well
as by grilling over an open flame.

Today’s recipe is another from a Kansas City Steak
Company customer.  This marinade would be good to use
with our boneless, skinless chicken breasts, as well as
our steaks.

If you’re grilling your steaks and want to use some of the
marinade to baste them with as they grill, reserve some in a
separate container, and refrigerate until time to use.

From Gina in Virginia
Five Spice Garlic Marinade
Makes enough for 6 Steaks

1 C. Dry Sherry
½ C. Olive Oil
½ C. Soy Sauce
4 Cloves Garlic, crushed
1 T. Chinese Five-Spice Powder
2 tsp. Dried Oregano
2 tsp. Sugar
2 tsp. Black Pepper

Mix together all ingredients, blend well.
Place in a large re-sealable plastic bag,
add up to 6 steaks to marinade mixture.
Marinate in refrigerator up to 2 hours,
then remove and bring to room temperature.
Grill steaks to desired doneness.