Shadicats’ Pan-Fried Steak with Rub Recipe

Story time: Once upon a time, Shadicats was a full-fledged vegetarian. I truly don’t know how I said no to meat for over 15 years. Sadly, I was a poor vegetarian, eating poorly and unhealthy. I lacked iron enriched foods. I detested beans. I fell to the dark side and eat meat. My health improved. I discovered foods I’ve never had before, such as steak. My parents never gave me steak as a kid (to be fair, I don’t think as a kid I would have appreciated the steak as I do now), we got pork chops often, poor man’s steak. Steak has become this marvelous wonder, delicious and worthy of mastering.

Picking the prefect steak for you needs. I learnt of the many different steak types… some not so good. If you were once like me, ignorant to the different cuts of steak here is a link to a wonderful site: http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/articles/detail/beef-cuts

I stick to a sirloin steak and avoid round steak at all cost.

Steak Rub Recipe

* This mix makes about 1/2 cup of seasoning. A small Tupperware container or jar will be needed to store the unused portions.

2 tbsp paprika
2 tbsp black pepper (course or peppercorn, if you use fine black pepper, use LESS approx. 2-3 tsp or 1 tbsp)
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp red pepper flakes
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt (if you use kosher/sea/celtic salt, you will need more…)

Directions

Take the RUB and rub it all over the steak(s).  Let them sit for at least 30 minutes out to bring them to room temperature. (Use this time to make your side dish.  Tasty baked potatoes via microwave is my favourite.)

Add a few tsp of safflower oil (once tried to use butter and was forever grateful my neighbors didn’t call the fire department, very smoky kitchen for a while – and then learnt more about smoke points) to the pan.  Heat fry pan on high until very hot.  Should take just under 2 minutes.

Place steak(s) on fry pan, and then turn down to medium heat.  Use tongs and flip steak after 15 seconds.  Cook each side for about 3 to 6 minutes (depending on how rare you want your steak).  Turn off heat, move steak to dish and let it sit for 5 minutes.

During this time, I wash the dishes I used to make this.  Save the fry pan for last.  If you leave the fry pan (or burnt the oil) for say a few hours (or days) you will need to see this guide to help save your fry pan.