Many happy returns! The Adha Eid is upon us and meat is on every table at almost every meal. Here’s a quick guide for how to cook a perfect steak and enjoy it while keeping healthy.
A perfect steak starts with the perfect choice of meat cut. Whether you’re having a rib steak, a t-bone, sirloin or a tenderloin, Make sure your butcher knows what he is doing, cutting the meat against the grain and not in a random manner. Also make sure to trim your pieces to make them of similar thickness to cook evenly. For a healthier option, trim the fat before cooking.
Never cook a frozen steak. You should thaw it to room temperature before starting to work with it.
A good piece of steak doesn’t really need much seasoning. Rubbing some salt and pepper before cooking by half an hour guarantees you a tasty steak. Remember the taste is in the meat rather than the seasoning.
Doesn’t matter which way of cooking you’re going, whether in an oven, over the stove or grill as long as you don’t add extra fat for cooking. The steak itself has enough to cook perfectly. Just make sure your pan or grill is super hot before cooking. Flip on both sides immediately to get that crunchy crisp all over before leaving to cook however you like it, rare to well done.
The time on fire varies according to the thickness of your steak. For well done, five to six minutes on each side would generally cook it through and the fork test always helps. If you’re still uncertain, there’s a grilltime app!
Now that you have your steak ready, it’s time to set a healthy table for it.
Having a lot of red meat might lead to indigestion and constipation, so your meal should contain fibers. A raw green salad or the always delicious parsley should always be available on your plate. Parsley is often used for garnish and is shamefully discarded. Parsley, besides its good taste with steak, kebab or kofta, is full of vitamins and oils that aid in the digestion process and limit the absorption of fat in diet and is full of antioxidants. Never throw away the parsley again!
Whole grain rice or pasta is a perfect choice to add some fibers and carbs. If you’re limiting your carb intake, go for a side of mashed sweet potatoes to give you a larger dose of protein with complex carbs for less calories. I know this might seem impossible with the Fettah availability. So your best option is to go easy on the fettah, minimizing the portions and opting for more salad.
Being on a long vacation full of delicious delicacies doesn’t mean you should stop your workout routine. You can adjust the timings before or after your meals as you wish to get the most benefits of all the proteins you’re having.
As always, we recommend moderation and balance in everything in life. Start your Eid feast easy on the meats. Stop eating if you feel full. I know it’s tasty, but you can always eat leftovers later.
Happy Eid everybody and enjoy!
WE SAID THIS: Also check out this guide to help keep you fit and guilt-free this Eid!