How to Cook Steak

How to Cook the Perfect Steak

1. Take your steak out of the fridge 20–30 minutes before cooking, so it comes up to room temperature.
2. Put your pan on a medium heat with a little olive oil, and let it heat for 2–3 minutes so the oil heats with the pan.
3. While it heats, pat the steak completely dry with kitchen paper (this is the secret to a proper sear), then season generously with salt and pepper.
4. When the oil is shimmering and spitting hot, lay the steak in away from you.
5. Leave it alone. Don't move it or press it. Give it around 60 seconds (a little longer for a thick cut).
6. When it lifts easily with a golden crust, flip it once and repeat on the other side.
7. Take the pan off the heat, add a knob of butter and a little crushed garlic, and spoon the foaming butter over the steak to baste.
8. Rest the steak on a board for a few minutes before slicing, this keeps it juicy.
9. Your pan wipes clean in seconds with warm soapy water.

Tip: keep the heat at medium. Hotter isn't better, it just risks burning before the inside is done.