If a restaurant menu could be equated to a car showroom, the steak would be the flashiest car on the lot. It’s the Ferrari of the culinary world. A good restaurant can build its whole reputation around a well-cooked steak. It could make them the talk of the town! But what is a well-cooked steak? How can we guarantee that our steaks come out more like king of the road and less like road kill. Here are a few tips to help you find that perfect steak.

1. Between The Fridge And The Pan

A mistake that a lot of people make is taking the steak out of the fridge and putting it straight into the pan. This stops the heat penetrating the middle of the steak efficiently. Allow the steak to come up to room temperature for roughly one hour before cooking it. Also, make sure the pan is really hot. This helps caramelize the meat.

2. The Right Tools For The Job

Before you turn on the oven, make sure you have the right equipment. It’s not just the right cut of meat that can ensure a great finished product, what you cook it in matters too. Although some people prefer grilling a steak, the best steaks are fried. Make sure your frying pan is heavy duty and has a good thick base, ideally with a non-stick coating. A griddle pan or skillet will also give good results. These pans can achieve a very high temperature which is great for those who prefer their steaks to be slightly charred on the outside. Don’t be tempted to squeeze your steaks into the pan. If there isn’t enough room, then cook them one or two at a time. The best things come to those who wait!

3. Know Your Oils

There are a lot of different approaches when it comes to oils. Rubbing the steak with Olive Oil (and possibly a pinch of sea salt and pepper) is one approach. Another is to use Groundnut Oil. This has a mild flavor and can also withstand very high temperatures. Whether you add the oil to the steak beforehand or add a splash into the pan is a matter of taste. If you do put the oil in the pan then make sure it is warm enough before adding the steak. If the oil is too cool the steak could be greasy and under-browned.

4. Pick the Right Dress

There are a wide variety of methods for dressing your steak. While some purists want nothing more than a dash of salt, the joy of a well-dressed steak is a real pleasure for most. Whatever dressing you choose be careful not to add it too early – salt, for example, can draw moisture from the meat. Dry-spicing with coriander seeds is another option. Others like to marinade the meat which will tenderize and enhance the flavor.

5. Get Your Order Right

Steak is one of the only foods that comes with an extra question when being ordered. That is, of course, ‘How would you like it cooked?’ We all like our steaks cooked differently. Some like them completely incinerated while others just want their steaks to be shown the cooker for a few seconds. Here’s a handy guide.

Blue – Should still be dark in color, almost purple and just warm. It will feel spongy with no resistance.

Rare – Dark red in color with some juice flowing. It will feel soft and spongy with slight resistance.

Medium Rare – A more pink color with a little pink juice flowing. It will be a bit soft and spongy and slightly springy.

Medium – Pale pink in the middle with hardly any juice flowing. It will feel firm and springy.

Well Done – Only a trace of pink color but not dry. It will feel spongy and soft and slightly springy.