Steak is one of those meals that I love, but one that I don’t cook very often. Not because it’s difficult or anything like that, but mainly because I always look at it as a bit of a treat and hence something that can be a bit expensive. When Aldi sent me through some steak facts and a tasty looking recipe for Peppered Steak (see below) I thought I’d better rectify that matter.
It did prompt some questions between me and the other half about what type of steak we both like, and also how we like our steak cooked. Compatible as we are, it turned out that both of us are in the 22% of the British public who like their steaks rare. 3% go for the blue option (not sure I can quite cope with it that bloody to be honest) whilst a whopping 49% play it safe with medium and just over a quarter (26%) prefer it well done.
But how do you get your steak cooked just to your preference? The secret is all in the timing when pan frying it really.
The perfect steak cooking times:
- Blue – 1 min per side, rest for 6 mins
- Rare – 2 mins per side, rest for 6 mins
- Medium-Rare – 2.5 mins per side, rest 5 mins
- Medium – 3 mins per side, rest for 4 mins
- Well done – 5 mins per side, rest for 0 mins
When it comes to different types of steak it seems that I, along with most of the British public, am actually quite clueless. I realise it’s all down to cuts of meat, but a whopping 87% can’t explain the difference between Rump and Ribeye and 73% can’t tell the difference between Sirloin and Rump. 62% of us also don’t know why the fillet is so prized and therefore more expensive, despite over a quarter of us claiming that fillet is our favourite steak.
Here in the UK, 30% of us dine on steak fortnightly, with 40% choosing British Beef. It’s a good choice, with every cut of steak supplying a healthy does of iron, zinc and vitamins. All
All of Aldi’s steaks are 100% British and their everyday fresh meats are quality approved by the Government’s certified EBLEX scheme, which improves efficiency in the beef supply chain as well as adding value to the beef industry. Aldi’s fresh meats are also 100% Red Tractor Assured, which means all of their fresh meat is produced safely and responsibly. I went down to Aldi and picked up a couple of their fillet steaks with which I followed their Peppered Steak recipe for our dinner. So simple to make and absolutely delicious too.
It’s fair to say that steak will be back on the menu at home now, and I can see the sweet potato fries (found in the freezer section) that I also picked up in Aldi accompanying a few other meals that come out of my kitchen too.
Recipe: Peppered Steak
Method:
- With a mortar and pestle coarsely grind the peppercorns
- Press half into both sides of the chosen steaks
- Preheat the oven to 220°c/400°c/gas 7
- Put the sweet potato fries into the oven to cook for 20 mins – as instructions on the pack – or deep fry for 5 mins
- Grill or pan fry the steaks to your liking
- Meanwhile put the brandy, rest of the peppercorns, lemon juice and double cream in a small saucepan – crumble over the stock cube – slowly cook till the stock cube dissolves
- Serve the steaks coated in the sauce alongside the sweet potato fries
Ingredients:
- 2 x Sirloin, Rib Eye or Fillet Steaks
- 3g Black Peppercorns
- 130ml Double Cream
- 1 x Beef Stock Cube
- 30ml Brandy
- 5ml Lemon Juice
- 400g Sweet Potato Fries
Disclaimer: I was sent an Aldi gift voucher to buy the ingredients for this meal. All opinions remain my own.
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