Category Archives: Cooking

The Perfect Steak for the Meat Lover in Us

Blog Cooking No Comments

Steak is one of the all-time favorite foods for many people. Whether we have a backyard grill or a restaurant kitchen, cooking a steak right can be easy with the help of the right tools and techniques. This article will cover how to take an excellent traditional steak recipe and make it even more perfect.

Choosing the Right Cut

There are many types of steak to choose from when cooking, but some are better than others. For the best results, buy a steak that is thick and well-marbled. Here are four types of steak to consider:

  1. Filet Mignon. This type of steak is the most expensive and is typically very tender. It is best served rare or medium-rare.
  2. New York Strip Steak. It is cut from the center of the strip loin and has a nice balance of flavor and texture. It can be served either grilled or pan-fried.
  3. Eye Round Steak. Also known as flank steak, this cut comes from the lower part of the ribeye muscle and has a lot of flavor with a bit of chew. It can be grilled or pan-fried and is best served rare or medium-rare.
  4. T-Bone Steak. The T-bone is a thick cut from the top sirloin that offers lots of juicy, flavorful meat. It can be grilled or pan-fried and is served medium-well or well-done.

What Makes a Steak Perfect?

The key to a perfect steak begins with selecting high-quality raw meat. Look for beef with abundant marbling, as the fat helps keep the meat tender and juicy during cooking. The meat should have a fresh red color and firm, moist texture when raw. Properly stored in the refrigerator, fresh steak will be kept for 2-3 days before cooking.

However, if your steak goes bad at any point, you will likely notice an off-putting odor, slimy texture, or unnatural colors. If this happens, the meat is likely spoiled and unsafe to eat. Always inspect meat before cooking and discard anything that smells or looks questionable. Consuming spoiled meat can cause severe food poisoning. If you ever have concerns about the safety of meat, remember – when in doubt, throw it out.

When cooking the steak, choosing the right doneness is a matter of taste. Many experts suggest medium-rare, cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 135 F. At this stage, the inside will still be bright pink with a warm red center – allowing the meat to remain juicy and tender.

Having said that, here are four tips for cooking the perfect steak:

  1. Use a meat thermometer – A meat thermometer is essential in ensuring a perfect steak. Knowing the internal temperature of the steak will ensure that it cooks evenly.
  2. Don’t overcook – The key to perfectly cooked steak is not cooking beyond what we desire. Overcooking can cause our steak to become dry, tough, and ultimately inedible. Check for doneness by inserting our thermometer into the thickest part of the meat; it should read 125� F for rare, 140� F for medium, and 150� F for well done.
  3. Preheat the oven – Another great way to prevent overcooking is by preheating the oven before cooking the steak. It will help increase its chances of being cooked evenly throughout without burning or sticking issues.
  4. Sear the outside first – Once the steak has reached the desired doneness, lightly oil or butter it on both sides (if using) and place it in a baking dish or on a pan on medium-high heat. Sear the outside of the steak until browned, about 1 minute per side. Watch closely so as not to burn. This step will add many flavors and a crispy texture to the dish.
  5. Top it up – Toppings are the perfect way to elevate the flavour of a deliciously grilled steak. Steak toppings like sauteed mushrooms, onions, and peppers add an explosion of flavours and textures to the already succulent taste of a perfectly cooked steak. So, next time you fire up the grill, don’t forget to include these steak toppings for a truly unforgettable meal.

Grill or Pan: Steak Cooking

One popular way to grill or barbecue a steak is to preheat the grill or barbecue over medium-high heat. Place the steak on the grill or in the smoker. Then cook it for 3-5 minutes per side or until done.

Season it with salt and pepper before cooking. And don’t forget some delicious toppings – such as grilled onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes – either on the steak itself or served separately as sides.

In pan frying a steak, season the steak with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan.

When hot, add the steak and cook for 2 minutes per side for rare or until desired doneness is reached. Serve immediately with our favorite barbecue sauce.

Steak Recipes to Try

The best way to get started is to come up with a perfect idea for the perfect steak. Here are four recipes for making it exactly how we like it.

Garlic Steak with Herb Butter

This garlic steak with herb butter is perfect for those who love their food spicy. The herb butter gives the steak a rich flavor, while the garlic gives it just the right amount of taste. This recipe will take about 30 minutes to cook and is perfect for those who want something quick and easy to cook.

Grilled Rib Eye with Chimichurri Sauce

Chimichurri sauce is a South American condiment made from parsley, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar. It’s used as a dipping sauce or as a marinade for steaks or other meats. This grilled ribeye with chimichurri sauce will impress anyone who tries it. It only takes about 20 minutes to cook, resulting in a delicious steak perfectly cooked all the way through.

Beer-Braised Short Ribs with Horseradish Cream Sauce

These beer-braised short ribs are hearty and flavorful, thanks to the horseradish cream sauce. This recipe takes about two hours to complete, but it’s worth it because the result is fantastic.

Easy Grilled Ribeye with Rosemary Butter

This easy grilled ribeye with rosemary butter is perfect for anyone who wants an easy and delicious steak dinner. The rosemary butter gives the steak a delicious flavor that’s sure to please while the grill does all the work for us. This recipe only takes about 25 minutes to cook, so it’s perfect for those who want something quick and easy to prepare.

One Can Never Go Wrong With the Perfect Steak

Steak is one of those dishes that can show off our culinary skills. Whether we’re cooking for one or a crowd, there are a few key things to remember when preparing steak. First and foremost, ensure the steak is well-prepared and seasoned – don’t skimp on the quality of the ingredients. Secondly, be patient – it can take up to an hour for a good steak to cook properly.

And finally, don’t overcook it – if there is any pink in the center of the steak, it’s time to remove it from the heat! Once we have mastered these tips, we’ll be able to enjoy a delicious piece of meat every time.

The Knives You Need for the Best Home Cooking Experience

Articles Cooking No Comments

Whether you are an amateur or an accomplished chef, there’s nothing like one size fits all when it comes to knives. Any great cook knows that each blade has a specific feel on the hand, and the size, weight, function, and comfort are specifically suited to you. Having a perfect set of knives will set you up for success. Whether I’m trying to make a simple salad or going all in by making a five-course meal for my small family dinner, I need to have just the right knife to ensure everything I chop comes out as desired. The following are a few affordable knives I recently purchased while doing an upgrade for my kitchen. Suffice to say, they have greatly improved my experience in the kitchen.

A Honing Steel

It’s not a knife, but I wouldn’t fail to mention its importance in a knife collection. A blunt knife is one of the most dangerous tools one can have in the kitchen. Therefore, I decided to throw the steel in my shopping cart before choosing the knives I wanted. I use it to keep all my knives at peak sharpness every time I use them.

A Chef’s Knife

There are many different types of kitchen knives available, but I must say that the chef’s knife stands out as one of the finest options. I personally recommend a size ranging from eight to 10 inches, although it may initially feel slightly longer and unfamiliar to handle. However, once you get accustomed to it, you’ll find it highly efficient. This versatile knife serves me well for approximately 90% of my chopping and dicing needs in the kitchen. When purchasing a chef’s knife, I received advice to opt for a full-tang blade, as it offers better balance and durability compared to the half-stud model.

A Paring Knife

I have a paring knife that is about 3.5 inches long. I learned it would be great for preparing foods that need a lot of attention during preparation. I find it easy to use when mincing small ingredients such as chopping garlic and peeling certain fruits and vegetables. However, the paring knife is not suitable for chopping hard vegetables like carrots and parsnips. It does not have enough weight to cut through these foods. I learned the hard way that one can get badly injured using knives the wrong way.

A Serrated Knife

Also known as a bread knife, a serrated knife is commonly used for slicing loaves. The serrations on the blade allow for a sawing motion, ensuring clean and precise cuts through the crust while maintaining a soft interior. When it comes to serrated knives, brands like Global Knives are well-regarded for their quality and performance. That being said, I learned that I could use the knife on almost any slicing and dicing job that a chef’s knife can do. I have a six-inch for my kitchen, and I find it exceptionally useful when cutting pineapples, citrus fruits, peppers, and tomatoes. I also use the knife to slice up my dessert cake, and impressively it does not crumble. I recently discovered that I should use serrated knives for slicing and not chopping ingredients. One should use a sawing motion for a perfect grip and cut on the foods.

A Boning Knife

As its name implies, the boning knife is used to cut up or bone a fish, poultry, meat, pork, etc. Boning knives are designed to cut in straight lines. A chef friend told me that I should use a boning knife to cut along and around the bones and never cut through bones. I recently used my boning knife to debone a turkey, and I have to admit it was pretty easy to separate the meat from the bones as well as slicing through the joints.

A Utility Knife

This is an all-purpose knife blade I have for my kitchen. Its size is somewhere between a paring and a chef’s knife. I bought a five-inch long one. It is super helpful when it comes to dicing vegetables such as carrots, celery roots, and other hard vegetables. I purchased mine in a serrated style, although there are also straight ones. It all depends on your preferred type.

A Santoku Knife

This knife is made with a textured blade and what I love about it is that food does not stick to it when I am slicing. I find it perfect when I am cutting ingredients such as onions, garlic, and tomatoes because they don’t stick on the knife. I don’t have to keep touching the ingredients, for example, garlic, which leaves a lingering scent on my fingers for days.

Easy-to-Prepare Meals For When You Are Not in the Mood to Cook

Articles Cooking No Comments

When we get home after a long day of work exhausted, sleepy and worn, or get up late and in a rush, cooking is the last thing we want to do. However, we must eat to regain our energy and get charged. This happens to me almost every day especially working days, and this is when I find myself considering frozen foods, cereals, and other refrigerated foods.

I know this poses the risk of unhealthy diets and related problems but, for a long time, I was unable to shake the habit off. I have, on a number of occasions, found myself gaining unhealthy weight that I awfully dread. Of course, some people might choose to fix a regular food delivery service from companies like keytofood.co.uk, that can provide a weekly or monthly meal plan for them. However, that might not be an option for everyone. Moreover, fixing a healthy meal doesn’t always have to be tiring or boring. I have, with effort, created some healthy quick-fix for when I find myself in such situations.

Chicken Salad

When I have leftover chicken, a chicken salad is usually speedy and easy to prepare. All I need is 3 cups of cubed cooked chicken, a diced large stalk of fresh celery, a quarter cup of finely chopped red onion, a quarter cup of finely chopped parsley and/or dill depending on what I have in my kitchen, a full cup on almonds, pecans, or cashew nuts depending on that day’s preference, half a cup of thick plain yogurt, half a cup of avocado mayonnaise oil and two teaspoonfuls of mustard. Put all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix gently till all the ingredients are completely mixed. I ensure to taste and adjust the salt and pepper accordingly. I later refrigerate the salad for not less than two hours because it tastes best when it is chilled. This salad can stay refrigerated for up to five days.

Grilled Curd Sandwich

With a few healthy ingredients to put on bread and make a sandwich, I always have plenty of options. For example, I put together a mixture of onions, cucumber, tomatoes, and a hang of curd together with several other spices I have in my kitchen. After which, I put the mixture on two pieces of bread and quickly grill it for a few seconds, and within minutes I have a sandwich that can be taken with a glass of milk or fresh juice, depending on my preference at that moment. I always use brown bread or a multigrain one for my sandwich to make it healthier.

Breakfast Cereals

I might be feeling lazy for those early mornings, or sometimes I get up late and in a rush. Cereals are perfect in such moments. All I need is some cornflakes, nuts, seeds, fruits, milk, and some honey. I just put all of them in a bowl and, in a few minutes, I have a scrumptious and very nutritious meal to kick start the day.

Feta And Watermelon Salad

This is basically a quick fruit salad that I make mostly for brunches or late lunches on that lazy Saturday or Sunday afternoon. All I need is to cut up a watermelon into small cubes then mix them with crumbled feta cheese. I put them in a large bowl and sprinkle in some mint leaves, a few drizzles of salad oil, and vinegar, then toss it a few times to mix up everything, and in less than five minutes, I have a very healthy and energizing dish.

A Cold Cucumber Soap

This is one of my favorite quick-fix soups. I peel and grate one big and fresh cucumber then whisk it together with some low-fat curd, lemon juice, salt, dried mint leaves, and crushed pepper. To give it a more chilled taste, I refrigerate it for about thirty minutes before serving it. I garnish the soup with either mint leaves or parsley.

An Avocado Toast

I prepare this by cutting and scooping out a fresh and ripe avocado, or αβοκαντο, that can be purchased as single pieces or in bulk, depending on how many people you are looking to feed. I then mash it up with a fork until it is smooth. I then add salt and other ingredients in my kitchen, such as eggs, olives, onions, and even tomatoes. I mix everything in a bowl, smear it on a slice of brown or multigrain bread, crush some black pepper on it, and enjoy a very healthy meal. The avocado toast’s best accompaniment is cold, freshly squeezed juice or a glass of cold milk.

There! You don’t have to sweat it out in the kitchen to have a delicious and healthy meal. I have learned this art over time, and I really vouch for it. Good meals come from the joy of making them. When that heart is not around, the quick-fixes above will keep you full and healthy!