COOKING STEAKS IN A PAN RECIPES

Steps:

• Remove packaging and pat meat dry with paper towels. Line a plate with paper towels, place meat on top and set aside to dry further and come to cool room temperature (30 to 60 minutes, depending on the weather). Turn occasionally; replace paper towels as needed.
• Place a heavy skillet, preferably cast-iron, on the stove and sprinkle lightly but evenly with about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt. Turn heat to high under pan. Pat both sides of steak dry again.
• When pan is smoking hot, 5 to 8 minutes, pat steak dry again and place in pan. (If using two steaks, cook in two batches.)
• Let steak sizzle for 1 minute, then use tongs to flip it over, moving raw side of steak around in pan so both sides are salted. Press down gently to ensure even contact between steak and pan. Keep cooking over very high heat, flipping steak every 30 seconds. After it’s been turned a few times, sprinkle in two pinches salt. If using pepper, add it now.
• When steak has contracted in size and developed a dark-brown crust, about 4 minutes total, check for doneness. To the touch, meat should feel softly springy but not squishy. If using an instant-read thermometer, insert into side of steak. For medium-rare meat, 120 to 125 degrees is ideal: Steak will continue cooking after being removed from heat.
• Remove steak to a cutting board and tent lightly with foil. Let rest 5 minutes.
• Serve in pieces or thickly slice on the diagonal, cutting away from your body and with the top edge of the knife leaning toward your body. If cooking skirt or hanger steak, make sure to slice across the grain of the meat.

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 400*F. Place a rimmed sheet pan large enough for the steak(s) into the oven to warm. Remove steak(s) from the refrigerator. Allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes on a cutting board.
• Sprinkle on desired amount of garlic powder, salt & pepper to each side of the steak(s). Cover top with a piece of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet (tenderizer), pound steaks to desired thickness (I like them about 3/4" - 1" thick, but thicker is fine -- just adjust cooking time).
• Heat a non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium heat on stove top.
• Once the pan is hot, add the oil and heat until the oil shimmers.
• Lay steak(s) into the skillet. Leave undisturbed for 1 minute. Lift the edges of the steak(s) and swirl the pan to allow more oil underneath, and let sit for 1 more minute. When nicely browned, flip over and repeat this process.
• Remove steak(s) from the skillet and place onto the warmed, rimmed sheet pan, insert a meat thermometer (not touching a bone if your steak(s) have one), and place into the oven to bake.
• Now it all depends on the thickness of your steak(s) to reach your desired doneness. Example: If I am making a 1" thick steak, I will let it bake for 5 minutes, then flip it over and cook for 4 minutes more (we like them pink inside). If mine are 1 1/2" thick, I will bake them for about 8 minutes, flip and do 6-8 minutes more. Just keep and eye on your thermometer and use your own judgement.
• While steak(s) are baking, sautee the sliced onion over medium heat in the same pan that you browned the steaks in, adding more oil if needed (but doubtful). Once onion slices are golden and softened, add the beef broth and simmer until you are ready to eat.
• When steak(s) are baked to desired doneness, remove to a platter and pour juices from the sheet pan into the Au Jus and mix well. Loosely cover the steak(s) with tin foil and let 'rest' for 10 minutes (this is a MUST). Again, pour collected juices from the platter (after the 'rest' period) into the Au Jus and stir.
• You can now serve and enjoy your steak(s) with the Au Jus, or you can thicken the Au Jus to make a gravy by combining 1/4 cup cold water and add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Slowly add the slurry to the pan of Au Jus while simmering to reach your desired thickness (you may not need all of it, so add just a bit at a time). Simmer 2 minutes and then serve.
• Enjoy!