| Steaks are the easiest to prepare among all the | | | | Steaks readied in such a manner are then placed on a |
| meats. Tender steaks like the sirloin and the T-bone | | | | 12" skillet pan over a medium fire. They are cooked for |
| (filet mignon is the tenderest but it is very expensive | | | | 8 to 10 minutes on one side, without disturbing. Then |
| and not easily available in the markets) are usually | | | | they are turned over. Desired doneness is checked |
| grilled. Most recipes differ in the marinade that is to be | | | | with a meat thermometer or just by touching if the |
| applied to the steak. Marinades use wine, lemon juice, | | | | person is experienced. Then mustard and Cognac is |
| soy sauce, tomato juice, etc; or even fruits like papaya | | | | added to the skillet and further cooked for about 30 |
| and pineapple. Steaks are marinated for 6 to 24 hours, | | | | seconds. Each filet is then cut in four slices and served |
| depending on the recipe and then placed on the grill. A | | | | with Dijon sauce. Almost all countries have their own |
| charcoal grill is the best bet to get the restaurant-like | | | | traditional steak recipes. Asian recipes with |
| flavor. Based on the tenderness of the steak, they are | | | | porterhouse steaks are spicier, using a lot of soy |
| turned twice or thrice to get the desired level of | | | | sauce and peppers; cooked in the rotisserie style. |
| doneness. Steaks should not be disturbed when they | | | | They specialize in various types of kebabs. The Irish |
| are grilling, as this does not allow the crust to form on | | | | blend steak and bacon together with raisins to make a |
| their sides. Also they should not be poked with forks | | | | spicy-sweet recipe called the Steak and Guinness Pie. |
| as this would allow the juices to run out of the steak. | | | | As in most other dishes, the Swiss use salsa in their |
| Among the best known recipes of steak preparation is | | | | steaks and serve it with mushroom soup. But the best |
| the Bæuf au Poivre, literally meaning 'Beef with | | | | and the most exotic dishes come from La France. |
| Peppercorn', a traditional French recipe. This is an | | | | The French have experimented and mastered several |
| exotic dish, which uses only the prime cuts of the filet | | | | gourmet dishes. Despite there being several hundreds |
| mignon. Beef steaks from the tenderloin (four of them | | | | of steak recipes all over the world, Americans |
| of about 1" thickness should serve four people) are | | | | specialize in the humble grilled steak, which is just as |
| first sprinkled with salt like kosher. Then peppercorns | | | | flavorful as any of the other high-brow names going |
| are crushed and patted onto both sides of the steak. | | | | around. |