Cast Iron Skillet Seared Rib-Eye

 

Many people have trouble when preparing a steak. Usually the problem lies with their cooking technique more than anything else.

While many people grill this time of year, you can make a delicious, mouth-watering one by searing on the stove top in a cast iron skillet.

First, let your cut of beef (this one being a rib-eye) set at room temperature for about 30 minutes prior to cooking. The only two items I season with are kosher salt and cracked black pepper! Sounds crazy, but it's awesome!!

In the meantime , preheat the skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil or butter. The biggest error you can make is not heating the skillet high enough. How can you tell when its ready? The oil or butter will start to sizzle. Medium-high at first until the steak is placed then medium from there.

DO NOT turn or pierce the meat!! Do not press down on the meat. It drains it of the scrumptious juices! Allow it cook at least 7-8 minutes before turning. You'll know it's ready to be turned if it looks caramelized. Peek under and turn if it is. You only turn it  ONCE!

Beautiful!! Now, the second biggest error ... over cooking or under cooking.... this depends on whether you want well-done or medium or rare steak.  A tip I learned years ago involves our best cooking tool ...our hand! 

Hold up your hand. If you prefer your steak on the rare side, it should feel like area directly beside your thumb.

Taking your index finger and moving it along to the center of your palm will gradually allow you to feel it getting firmer and firmer. The center of your palm would indicate what a well done steak feels like. Test it out. It's never failed for me! Now, take your tongs to use as your guide while the meat continues to cook until you feel where you want it to be.

 

Take the steak out of skillet ands allow it to sit approximately 5 minutes before slicing. The juices should be pooling at the top!

I prefer mine to be medium. Don't confuse the juices for being rare!!! It's not!!  Slice into sections (if you are sharing)

Yummy! Perfect!!!!  Now all you need are veggies and a glass of wine or a cold beer!

By way of review: 1.) Have the steak sit at room temperature 30 minutes prior to searing. 2.) Preheat the  skillet. 3.) Do not pierce or press the meat while cooking. 4.)Do not turn prematurely. It should only be turned ONCE! 5.) Allow the steak to sit for 5 minutes before serving.

 

This is an easy, simple way to prepare a great steak. You can use other seasonings or top it with steak sauce. Make it your own, but these are the basics! Let me know how it turns out for you!