Steak is one of the simplest, most delicious and most impressive meals to serve. Start with a great piece of steak, such as Lone Mountain Wagyu, and treat it right – it won't let you down! With any method of cooking, you may defrost your steak in the refrigerator, but be sure to bring to room temperature on the counter for the last half hour. For cooking with a meat thermometer: 145°= medium, 170°= well done. Without a thermometer, pierce with a meat fork to judge by pinkness of juices. With that out of the way, let's review your options:
Searing: When beginning to cook, make sure the whole side begins to cook at the same time. Searing steak seals it, trapping juices inside. Listen for the sizzle and the steak after cooking! Do not cut into cooked steak for at least 7 – 10 minutes. Juice and tenderness are increased during this resting stage. If you’d prefer to bake, you can also start by searing the meat in a cast-iron skillet on your regular burner. Then simply place the pan in the oven at 350° until done. There are many recipes available for baking steaks; if yours calls for dipping in batter, this should be done before the searing. Let rest before cutting.
Frying: A cast iron skillet is unbeatable for frying steak. Many love a good marinade for the flavor added by garlic and herbs; others feel that a marinade should be used only on tougher cuts of steak. If you decide upon marinade, only lightly oil the pan. A marinade does not have to take long. Pop your thoroughly defrosted steak into a Ziploc bag with olive oil, vinegar, fresh salt and pepper and herbs of your choice for about an hour. Your pan should be on highest heat and truly hot when the steak is dropped in. As soon as it is seared on one side, turn it over. When seared on second side, immediately reduce heat to finish cooking to desired doneness. If you should decide against marinade, use a bit more oil in the pan. Rub fresh salt and pepper into your steak. Add herbs such as garlic if desired, but rub thoroughly into the meat. With your pan at highest heat, drop the steak in so the entire surface is seared. Turn to sear other side and reduce heat to complete cooking. Add sauce items, such as onions or mushrooms. Complete your sauce. Allow dish to rest.
Broiling: Prepare for marinade or non-marinade. You may use a cast iron skillet for this or any service dish certified to withstand broiling. 4” from heat is about right. When seared, turn and reduce heat until cooked. Let rest.
Grilling: Prepare by marinading for a little while or just throw it on the grill. Either way, grill the steak on both sides and immediately remove it to rest. But be aware, this method has been known to get your testosterone flowing!