Steak... It's What's For Dinner

Yesterday I went to Williams Sonoma to "spend" a gift card. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, but I knew I needed a good skillet/frying pan apparatus.

It was one of those times you see it and "know." I found a $99 deal for two Calphalon 12" skillets (one plain and one with grill marks).






I am thrilled. Nice pans are so much easier to use. And more fun to use.

I also found a good steak on sale today at the grocery store.

We don't have a place to grill outside, so I've successfully cooked steak in the oven a few times using an iron skillet. But last night, of course, I wanted to use the new grill pan.



I adapted the procedure that I've used for the iron-skillet-in-the-oven steak. I turned the burner on high to get hot before I started. Then I dripped some olive oil and salt & pepper on the raw steak and rubbed it in. Then I put the empty pan on the burner for a minute or two to "preheat." I used my tongs to lay the meat across the grill pan.








I let it "fry" for 2 minutes, then flipped it to the other side for 2 more minutes. After that, I turned the burner down to medium and flipped the steak back to the original side for 2 minutes. Then flip and cook 2 more minutes. I have to talk myself out of letting it cook longer, because it just gets dry.

After trying last night's "grill" steak, we both agree that we like the iron skillet/oven method better. You preheat the oven to High Broil (scary hot). Once it is fully preheated, place an empty iron skillet on a middle/bottom rack. You must leave the skillet in there for 15-20 minutes. While you're waiting, coat the steak with olive oil and salt & pepper. Open the oven door and use tongs to place the steak in the center of the skillet. It's not a bad idea to stand back and wear oven mitts. Set the timer for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, you must flip the meat. You can either use tongs, or pull the whole pan out (use double oven mitts) and set on the counter to flip it. Either way, let the steak cook in the oven for 2 minutes. After those two minutes, turn the oven down to 500 degrees. Flip the steak to the original side for 2 minutes again (3 minutes if it's a thick steak). Finally, flip the steak for the last time for 2 more minutes (3 if thick). It should be ready!