Many of us have trouble determining which steak is the right one for you, especially if we mostly see steak on our plate in a restaurant. This can make it seem pretty intimidating for those of us who would like to start cooking our own steaks at home. Let us take a look at some of the steaks we can buy, and the best way to prepare them.
Rib Eye - This is one of the best all around cuts, since its high level of fat makes it hard to do badly, with the steak ending up juicy, tender, and flavorful in most cases. It is a good choice for novices, since its great pan fried, grilled, and broiled.
New York Strip - Also, this versatile and tender cut is relatively flavorful. It is best prepared by pan frying or grilling, not broiling. The fat can be trimmed, but do it only after cooking - the fat is what adds the flavor to this great steak.
Tenderloin - Steaks from the tenderloin are among the most expensive cuts available, but are lean and extremely tender, due to the limited use these muscles receive. The low fat of this steak causes many people to wrap it in bacon before cooking or sear it in butter. High in price, tenderloin is usually a choice for important occasions.
T-Bone - This is one of the classic steaks, combining a tenderloin and a New York Strip. The familiar Porterhouse is a kind of t-bone steak cut further up the loin, and known for tenderness and size. They can be tricky to cook, since the bone makes it hard to get the center fully done - this is not a steak for those who like theirs well done. Avoid searing or pan frying this steak in favor of putting it on the grill or under the broiler.
Flank Steak - This long thin cup of meat is traditionally used for making London Broil. Many people like it during grilling season, as it is a good choice for large groups. This steak is more flavorful but tougher than the above steaks, and should be marinated, grilled or broiled whole, and sliced across the grain on the diagonal.
Skirt Steak - A lot like a flank steak, this is a piece of meat that can be cooked a number of different ways. Many choose a pan, but cooking steak on a grill works well here, too. Use this kind of steak in traditional fajitas and have a great Mexican or Tex-Mex themed cookout.
Top Sirloin - A popular budget steak, top sirloin is more tender than flank steak but tougher than tenderloin. This lean cut ought to be pounded and marinated, and is great in kebabs. However, it can be cooked in an assortment of other ways.
While baking is one of the lesser-known methods for cooking steak, you may be interested in finding out how to bake a steak. It is not difficult to do. For advice and great cooking tips, visit EasySteakMarinades.net and learn all you can about the many ways to prepare steak for your family.