Steakhouse Steak & chips

I have oftimes toyed with the idea of becoming a Vegetarian. I could quite happily live on nothing but grains, fruit, legumes and veg with the exception of one thing . . . a good steak.  I would dearly miss having a good steak. A perfectly cooked steak is one of my many weaknesses! 

 I used to love to go to places like the Ponderosa and Bonanza steak houses back home, where you could get a steak perfectly cooked to your preference (mine is medium rare) along with your desired accompaniments. I would always have a baked potato, as well as mushrooms and onions.  It was always really good.  They knew how to cook steak.

Worst steak I have ever eaten was from a place called Buffalo Grill in France.  It is a chain of restaurants and Todd and I both had gastroenteritis the morning after, with the thing being in common that we had both had steaks for dinner there the night before.  Both medium rare.  Or at least they were supposed to be. 

They were so rare that they practically mooed when you stuck a fork in them. We ate them because we don’t like to complain in restaurants and they were expensive.  I also have never trusted that the chef won’t spit on my steak if I complain and return something, and so I just err on the side of caution and shut up and eat it.

This steak here today is perfectly pan grilled to medium rare, especially if you follow my directions and use a steak which is the exact thickness that I have described.  Nothing fancy needed, just salt and black pepper.  And a nice hot pan.

The chips are begun in the microwave which makes fast work of them, and then they are finished off in the pan juices from where you grilled your steak, which adds flavour and colour to them.  Easy peasy.

 Just look at that beautifully cooked piece of meat, golden brown and juicy  . . .  with that lovely sauce napped over the top of it . . . the colours and flavours are quite simply fabulous!

You really can’t go wrong.  This sauce also goes very well with grilled chicken or fish.  It’s herby and earthy from the parsley and slightly tart (I use Sherry Vinegar, but you could use a good red wine vinegar) . . . with just a hint of heat from the chili flakes.

Altogether this steak (small thick rib eyes) combined with the sauce and chips make for a beautiful supper.  All you need is perhaps a salad on the side.  I call this dinner . . . . the epitomy of perfection!! 

1/4 tsp crushed red chili flakes

Heat the remaining 2 TBS of oil in the skillet ove medium heat.  Add the potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally until golden brown all over and cooked through.  Serve the hot steaks on heated plates with the potatoes and some of the parsley sauce drizzled over top.  Delicious!

Look at those beautiful chips with all of that lovely colour and smattering of meat juices.  Oh boy, some good eating those are . . .  some good.  I hope you will give this a go!  Perhaps this weekend. Bon Appetit!

Debunking the myths of English Cookery, one recipe at a time.
The English Kitchen
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