Steak FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) There is nothing like a high quality, properly aged, tender, juicy steak with a glass of rich, aged cabernet sauvignon and of course, good company.

Some people believe steak is bad for your health. While this may be true for some people, for most of us, lean beef, is beneficial to a diverse and balanced diet. In fact, leading health authorities, such as, The American Heart Association and the American Cancer Association advocate that lean meat can and should be a part of a well-balanced diet. As with all yummy things in life, the rule of thumb is, "Anything is OK as long as it's within reason."

Did you know.....

• 3 oz. of cooked, lean beef contains only 189 calories. Compare that to 3 oz. of roasted, skinless chicken at about 165 calories. While 3 oz. doesn't sound like a lot of meat, you should consider purchasing lean, high quality beef and you will be quite satisfied with around 3 oz.
• Beef is naturally low in sodium.
• Beef is one of the best sources of iron. Interestingly, when eaten with other iron-rich foods, beef makes the absorption rate of all foods increase.
• The protein in beef is nutritionally complete, containing all 22 essential amino acids in a well-balanced ratio. There are about 21 grams of protein in 3 oz. of all red meats.
• Beef is a major source of zinc in the diet and an excellent source of B-12 and niacin.
• 3 oz. of cooked lean beef contains about 76 mg of cholesterol which is the same amount as 3 oz. roasted skinless chicken.

Steak is one of the simplest foods to cook and yet is also easily destroyed by..... let's just say "Cooking Phopa's" -that is- cooking too long or over seasoned. A good piece of steak like Filet Mignon, Chateaubriand, London Broil, or Top Sirloin need very little preparation. The key is a high quality meat. Go to a gourmet butcher or order steaks from Harris Ranch or Omaha Steaks. You'd be surprised at the difference in taste and yes, the cost too, but personally I think it's worth the extra cost. Here is the easiest and tastiest method of preparing steak.

Seasoning First, take your steak and simply season it with fresh ground salt and pepper and another simple seasoning like Creole seasoning or herbs for meat. Or you can take a peeled, slightly smashed glove of garlic and rub it on both sides of the steak and then salt and pepper it. There is also the option of purchasing pre-made seasonings for meat. May we suggest Restaurant Lulu's Herb for Meat Blend, Primo's Gourmet Southwestern Grill Mix or Garden of the Gods Rosemary-Garlic Blend or the Caribbean Blend. These brands are of exceptional quality and provide a full-proof seasoning method. Now, here is another rule of thumb to remember K.I.S.S.-Keep It Simple, Silly. Don't go overboard with the seasoning or you will lose the flavor of the meat.

Cooking Now, either cook over red-hot charcoal or in a preheated oven broiler at 2-3 inches away from the heating element. Here is a foolproof Steak Cooking Chart:

Utilizing these tips will save you time while pleasing you, your family and friends.

Other meat cooking products:
Cooking Goodies for Meat

The Smith & Wollensky Shrine Smith & Wallensky Steak Knife Set