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PLANNING A ROMANTIC STEAK DINNER
In American culture there is no meat more revered
than steak. We're going to help you plan the perfect romantic Valentine's
Day dinner with the perfect piece of steak. We're going to give you no
fail cooking guidelines whether you're grilling or broiling your steaks.
We also have recipes for steak sauces sure to please.
Choosing a Cut of Steak

When you're shopping for steak in your local supermarket always look for
Prime or Choice grades. Prime is better. However, keep in mind that steaks
get their flavor from the marbling of fat within them. A steak that is
very lean will not have as much flavor as a steak that is marbled. You
want to look for even thin strands of fat throughout the steak.
Everyone has heard of a Filet Mignon. Filet Mignon tend to be the most
tender of steaks, but they're the leanest cut too. Due to the fact that
they're extremely lean they are generally not the most flavorful. Most
steak aficionados will say that Porterhouse steaks are the best. A Porterhouse
steak is a combination of the top loin, which is very flavorful, and the
tenderloin, which is very soft.
The butcher should
be able to answer any questions you have.
How
to Grill a Perfect Steak Every Time:
Let's say you've chosen every man's favorite steak, the Porterhouse, for
your romantic Valentine's Day dinner, now you need to cook it perfectly.
I've used this guideline for years every time we've cooked a steak (of
any kind) and they turn out perfectly. Divide the time in half for
each side.
1 THICK STEAK COOK ON HIGH HEAT
MINUTES: 8-10 RARE
12-14 MEDIUM
16-20 WELL
1 1/2 THICK STEAK COOK ON HIGH HEAT
MINUTES: 10-14 RARE
16-20 MEDIUM
22-26 WELL
2 THICK STEAK COOK ON MEDIUM HEAT
MINUTES: 12-16 RARE
18-22 MEDIUM
24-28 WELL
How
to Broil a Perfect Steak Every Time:
Certainly there are times when
you cannot grill and you must broil your steak. Broiling is like grilling,
except the heat source comes from the top instead of the bottom. Please
check out these tips for broiling and time guidelines for broiling steaks
from the Iowa
Steak Industry.
Balsamic
Steak Sauce:
This is truly one of the best
sauces I have ever had on a steak. It's rich, and super simple to make.
Giada DeLaurentiis' suggests that soft goat cheese to be crumbled over
the cooked steaks and the steaks placed under the broiler just until the
cheese starts to melt. Then drizzle with the balsamic syrup. I use this
fabulous balsamic syrup over any steak we're eating with and without the
goat cheese.
1 1/2 cups balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar
Boil the balsamic vinegar and sugar in a heavy small saucepan over medium-high
heat until reduced to 1/3 cup, stirring occasionally, about 18 minutes.
Bernaise
Sauce:
This has got to be one of the best loved
steak sauces. Once you've had a Bernaise sauce you'll never forget it.
It can be challenging to cook, as you have to avoid curdling and separation.
It's a very special sauce and your Valentine is sure to be appreciative
of your efforts!
Check out a
Bernaise Sauce recipe courtesy of Fine
Cooking Magazine.
Easy
BBQ & Cookout Recipes
Angel Hair Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Baked Beans with Maple Syrup
Broccoli Salad
Cold Green Bean Salad, Feta & Pecans
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Grilled Lamb Shoulder with Honey
Grilled Pork Chops (Brining Pork
Chops)
Grilled Swordfish Steaks with Soy Sauce
How to Season and Grill the Perfect Hamburger
Lemon Green Bean & Celery Salad
Maryland Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes
New Potatoes with Peas & Mint
Patriotic Potato Salad
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Valentine's
Day & Romantic Dinner Ideas & Recipes
Asparagus with Orange, Ginger and Sesame Oil
Bernaise
Sauce
Chicken
Divan from Gourmet Magazine
Chino Carrot and Ginger Soup
Fresh Fruit with Honey Vanilla Mascarpone
Orange Salmon with Fennel
Oyster in the Patty Shell
Persian Love Cake
Red Velvet Cake/Buttercream
Frosting
Shrimp, Mussel and Scallop Orechiette
Pasta
Steak,The Perfect Romantic Steak Dinner
Tasty & Easy Green Bean Recipes
Blanched Green Beans
Fried Green Beans
Ginger Garlic Green Beans
Greek Green Beans
Greek Potatoes and Green Beans
Green
Beans a'la Waterman's
Green Beans Almondine
Green Beans Almondine (with a hint of lemon)
Green Beans Almondine (with an Asian flair)
Green Beans Almondine (with mushrooms)
Green Bean Casserole (Campbell's)
Green Bean Casserole (Cook's Illustrated)
Green Beans in Sour Cream & Tomato Sauce
Green Bean Salad, Dill, Parlsey &
Savory
Green Bean Salad, Feta & Pecans
Green Bean Salad, Provencal
Green Beans with Coconut
Green Beans with Ginger Butter
Green Beans with Onion Paste (Madhur Jaffrey)
Green Beans with Shallots
Italian Green Beans (St. Anna Beans)
Oven Roasted Green Beans
Pears with Green Beans & Bacon
Persian Green Beans & Rice
Sesame & Portobello Green Beans
Sicilian Green Bean & Fennel Salad (Cooking Light)
Stir-Fried Green Beans with Pork & Chilies
Sweet & Sour Green Beans
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