5 Steps to the Perfect Steak

Who doesn't love a good steak besides vegetarians that is? Yet it's surprising how many of us panic about cooking one and end up getting it wrong. If the steak on your plate rarely turns out as you want it to, then read on.

Certain considerations must be taken into account as they can affect the end result.

Cook Steak

For example,
How old is the steak and how long was it hanging for?
How cold is the steak?
What cut of meat are you using?
How dense or loose is the steak and how much fat contents runs through it.

The best way to tell when your steak is cooked to perfection is to either stick a thermometer into it, which isn't ideal as it doesn't always give a true reading when stuck in a small piece of meat such as a steak. Or better still learn by touch when a steak is cooked to your liking. Feel it just like chefs do. (see the poke test below)

5 Steps To The Perfect Steak

1. Always bring the meat up to room temperature before cooking it.

2. Place a dry frying pan over a high heat until it's searing hot. You want to hear a 'sizzle' when the steak makes contact with the pan. If it doesn't the pan isn't hot enough.

3. Rub steaks with a little oil and season with a grinding of sea salt and black pepper.

4. Cook steaks in a dry pan without oil or butter - the steak will cook in the oil rubbed on them and your kitchen won't get smokey!

5. Turn down the heat slightly if necessary.

Guide To Cooking Times
The times given below are a guide only and refer to a sirloin steak approximately 1" thick. Thicker steaks will require a longer cooking time and thinner steaks less time.

1" Thick steak

Cooking Time (per side)
Resting Time
Total CookingTime

Rare
2 minutes
4 minutes
8 minutes

Medium
3 minutes
4 minutes
10 minutes

Well Done
4 minutes
2 minutes
10 minutes

The "poke test" is the best way to tell when a steak is cooked.

A good cook or chef, can tell whether meat is cooked or not just by pressing it. If you'd like to know how they do this, follow the guide below as it provides a quick gauge for doneness. Start off by feeling the base of your thumb on your upturned palm and press it with your other thumb and fingers as it produces the same ' feel' as steak during the various cooking stages.

Rare: Place your thumb and index finger either side of your other thumb and gently press the base of your thumb. This is how rare meat feels.
Medium: Bring your thumb and middle finger together gently and press the base of your thumb. This is how medium cooked meat feels.
Well-done: Bring your thumb and little finger together and press the base of your thumb. This is how well cooked meat feels.
Always rest steak after cooking, it relaxes the meat fibres and locks in the juices.

5 Steps to the Perfect Steak

Uma Wylde is a natural born cook. She specialises in creating stunning tastes. If you're having trouble getting food to taste the way you want it to or are just bored cooking the same old things, try following some of her carefully explained recipes at http://www.umawylde.com. Unlike traditional recipes, which often leave you dangling, hers show you how to bring the whole meal together, so everything turns out perfectly.

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