Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Affordable Steak Cuts for Summer Grilling

By K.C. Kudra

We all love grilling, but tight budgets are making a good steak seem a lot more difficult for many of us. If you are worried about whether or not that great steak is in reach this year, the answer is definitely a yes, as long as you know your steaks. All kinds of cuts of beef are available that will grill up well without being too hard on your budget. While they will take a little more care in cooking than your favorite tenderloin, they can be really worthwhile. So, if you love steak, do not give up hope on an affordable one.

There are lots of bargains in the meat section at your local supermarket, allowing you to have good steak for only five to seven dollars per pound. These include chuck, top sirloin, flank, flap and skirt steaks, tri tip, flatiron, and hanger steaks. All can be cost effective and great tasting, as long as you know what you are doing.

Remember that these steaks are cheaper for a reason, which means it will take a little more work to make them taste as good as the really expensive cuts. However, it is not all that hard if you take the time to suit the cooking method to the steak. Being a good cook can save you money in the long run.

These steaks are a lot tougher because they come from the muscles that are used on a day-to-day basis. That makes them a lot less tender, but also a lot more flavorful. These steaks are low in gristle and high in flavor. Choose an intense marinade, salt the steak with care, and cook with a close eye on the timing to create a bargain cut that does not taste like it was cheap.

You will also want to take a look at marinades. These liquid mixtures are able to tenderize and add a lot of flavor when you use them right, but they may do the opposite if used in correctly. Most marinades just soak in a little, and really acidic ones actually tighten the meat up, making it tougher, not less tough. That does not mean you need to skip the marinade, of course. Choosing the best steak marinade and using it correctly are important parts of the cooking process.

Even if the effect you get is only skin-deep, your marinade is going to produce an attractive looking, richly colored steak that has a crisp, great tasting crust. Cook budget steaks on a really hot grill for best effect, and make sure they are not cold in the middle when you start cooking. That allows for a more even cooking method.

This means making two zones - one is hotter and allows you to sear the meat, and the other is medium in heat and will cook meat through without burning. On gas grills, just adjust the knobs. For charcoal, bank two thirds of your coals and scatter the rest.

You will want to make sure your grill is clean at all times, and that you are being patient enough. It is important to cook these cuts of meat in an undisturbed location for two to three minutes at least. Use an instant read thermometer to tell you when the meat is done, and be sure to rest it when it is finished so it will retain the juices.

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