Steaks are the easiest to prepare among all the meats. Tender steaks like the sirloin and the T-bone (filet mignon is the tenderest but it is very expensive and not easily available in the markets) are usually grilled. Most recipes differ in the marinade that is to be applied to the steak. Marinades use wine, lemon juice, soy sauce, tomato juice, etc; or even fruits like papaya and pineapple. Steaks are marinated for 6 to 24 hours, depending on the recipe and then placed on the grill. A charcoal grill is the best bet to get the restaurant-like flavor. Based on the tenderness of the steak, they are turned twice or thrice to get the desired level of doneness. Steaks should not be disturbed when they are grilling, as this does not allow the crust to form on their sides. Also they should not be poked with forks as this would allow the juices to run out of the steak. Among the best known recipes of steak preparation is the Buf au Poivre, literally meaning 'Beef with Peppercorn', a traditional French recipe. This is an exotic dish, which uses only the prime cuts of the filet mignon. Beef steaks from the tenderloin (four of them of about 1" thickness should serve four people) are first sprinkled with salt like kosher. Then peppercorns are crushed and patted onto both sides of the steak. Steaks readied in such a manner are then placed on a 12" skillet pan over a medium fire. They are cooked for 8 to 10 minutes on one side, without disturbing. Then they are turned over. Desired doneness is checked with a meat thermometer or just by touching if the person is experienced. Then mustard and Cognac is added to the skillet and further cooked for about 30 seconds. Each filet is then cut in four slices and served with Dijon sauce. Almost all countries have their own traditional steak recipes. Asian recipes with porterhouse steaks are spicier, using a lot of soy sauce and peppers; cooked in the rotisserie style. They specialize in various types of kebabs. The Irish blend steak and bacon together with raisins to make a spicy-sweet recipe called the Steak and Guinness Pie. As in most other dishes, the Swiss use salsa in their steaks and serve it with mushroom soup. But the best and the most exotic dishes come from La France. The French have experimented and mastered several gourmet dishes. Despite there being several hundreds of steak recipes all over the world, Americans specialize in the humble grilled steak, which is just as flavorful as any of the other high-brow names going around. |
