Oven Grilled Steak Mark Bittman Food

OVEN-GRILLED STEAK (MARK BITTMAN)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to its maximum, 500° or more, for at least 20 minutes; if it is equipped with a pizza stone, so much the better.
• About 10 minutes before you are ready to eat, put a cast-iron or other ovenproof heavy skillet large enough to hold the steaks over high heat.
• Wait 2-3 minutes, until the pan is beginning to smoke.
• Add the steaks and let them sit on top of the stove as long as you can before the smoke is intolerable-probably no more than 1 minute.
• Immediately transfer the pan to the oven; roast the steaks for about 4 minutes, or until nicely browned on the bottom, then turn and cook on the other side for another 3-4 minutes, until done.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

SEARED STEAK

Steps:

• If time allows remove steaks from packaging, dry with paper towels, put on a plate and refrigerate a day or two. If not, wrap in paper towels and set on counter about 30 minutes. (If you're really in a hurry, just proceed.)
• Heat oven to 500 degrees (550 if possible), and set a rack in the lowest position, unless skillet can be placed directly on oven floor. Place a cast-iron skillet large enough to hold steaks without crowding over high heat, and heat until smoking. Sprinkle surface of pan with coarse salt, and put steaks in. Smoke will billow up; wearing a thick oven mitt, immediately transfer skillet to oven.
• Roast steaks, turning once, about 4 minutes a side for medium rare, or until browned and cooked to preferred doneness. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and let rest 3 to 5 minutes. Slice steaks or cut each into two pieces, and serve.