It's the one time of year when we take time to share how much we appreciate all the things Dad has done for us, and the time he has given us. So why not take time to grill his favorite steak with all the trimmings.
Imagine his pleasure when he sits down to a juicy grilled steak with all the fixings, and he wasn't "king of the grill" for the meal. But what if you have no clue where to even begin? Relax, help is here!
Here are some tips for giving dad a steak dinner he will love.
Remember, safety first with the grill and food. Make sure the grill rests securely on the ground, deck, patio, or other surface. Never leave the grill unattended and never use indoors or in a garage where the fumes cannot be vented. Always keep children and pets at safe distances.
When it comes to food safety, be sure to always pre-heat the grill to kill microorganisms before placing the steak on it. Always use separate clean tongs and plate when removing the steak from the grill. This will help to avoid cross contamination of bacteria with uncooked meat.
As with any cooking project, the right ingredients are essential. Depending upon budget, decide which type of steak to purchase. Your more tender cuts of steak include rib eye, T-bone or porterhouse, sirloin or top loin strip. Because they are the tenderest, they will also be more expensive. Your less tender cuts, such as flank and top round will be easier on the budget. Give dad the best your budget can afford.
Although grilling will give you a juicy, smoky steak, sometimes you want to add a little flavor to the mix. Do so with rubs and marinades, both of which add flavor and tenderness to anything you put them on.
Rubs are dry spice blends which usually include salt and sugar. The advantage of a rub is that you can rub them on immediately before cooking, adding mild flavor; or do it a day or two in advance, bringing the spice flavor deeper inside the meat.
Marinades are liquid and usually contain something acidic such as lemon juice, vinegar, yogurt or tropical fruit like papayas, pineapples or kiwi. Both acids and enzymes found in tropical fruit react with meat proteins to tenderize. To keep food from becoming over-tenderized, it's important not to marinate too long. The general rule of thumb is 15 minutes for seafood, four to six hours for thin cuts of meat, and up to 12 hours for larger ones.
A quick tip for marinades is to use a resealable plastic bag-put everything in, seal it and give a shake. Never reuse marinades. If you want to make a sauce out of the leftovers, either boil the used marinade for at least two minutes, or make a separate batch.
If you choose to marinate, thaw meat and marinate in the refrigerator, on a low shelf, on a plate to catch drips.
It's important to understand the difference between indirect and direct grilling and when to use each, because they provide different results. Direct grilling means just that, you are placing the food directly over the flame; indirect means that the food is placed away from the heat source.
Once the fire in your grill is lit, check the temperature. To do this, cautiously hold the palm of your hand about 6 inches above the coals or heat source where the steak will be cooking, and count the number of seconds you can hold your hand there. Count slowly such as one-barbecue, two-barbecue, etc.
Your fire is considered to be at high heat at 3 seconds or 500 F; medium high heat at 5 seconds or 400 F; medium heat at 7 seconds or 350 F; medium low heat at 10 seconds or 325 F; and low heat at 12 seconds or 300 F.
If the grill is too hot, the outside of the steak can overcook before the inside is ready. If the grill is too cold, you won't get the right searing, or sealing in of juices.
An instant read thermometer gives you the internal temperature instantly. If dad prefers his steak medium rare, the internal temperature would be 145 degrees F; medium 160 degrees F; and well done is 170 degrees F once cooked.
Pay special attention to how you turn Dad's steak. Tongs are the best tools for the job. These enable you to turn the steak without stabbing it. When you use a fork or other sharp object, you are allowing the juices, which keep the steak moist, to be lost.
To assure that juices in the steak have had time to redistribute themselves, let the steak rest a few minutes before cutting. Many cooks will add a pat of butter to the hot steak as it rests on the grill to give it a wonderful flavor.
If you follow these guidelines, dad is sure to be impressed. Who knows, you may become the steak chef at your house.
If you would like more information on Grilling Safely, contact me at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in Miller County at 400 Laurel St., Suite 215, Texarkana, AR., call 870-779-3609, or e-mail me at [email protected] You may also visit us on the web at www.uaex.edu/miller
Before placing dad's steak on the grill, you may want to use a marinade or rub to season the steak. This spicy rub will add a delightful flavor to your steak.
SPICY RUB
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves, crushed
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
Combine seasoning ingredients, mixing well, and rub evenly onto steaks. Return steaks to refrigerator until ready to grill.
Carla Haley Hadley is a county extension agent, family and consumer sciences, with the Miller County Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.