Steak Seasoning Recipes

Steak Recipes

There are few foods that elicit the passion that a good steak can. There are even fewer foods that can have their apparent quality “raised” by proper preparation and spices. Add in the number of different cuts of meat, hundreds of cooking methods, and proper steak preparation can practically become a religion upon itself.

Steak Seasoning Recipes
Picture by Robert S. Donovan, Creative Commons License

Every good cook has their own preparation style, my personal favorite is pretty simple but I’m not above shamelessly using someone else’s style. Celebrity Chef Alton Brown has two great styles, grilled “with out the grill“, and his more famous “Cast Iron Steak” recipe. Another popular cooking style was published in Cooks Illustrated Magazine.

But what really makes steak good is the seasonings, or in many cases, the lack of seasonings. Most cooks like to go with the basic, salt, pepper and “garlic if you really need it,” seasonings. Especially if the quality of meat is excellent in the first place. But if you want to mix it up a little, or have a cheaper cut of meat you’d like to fancy up a bit here are some great options.

*Note; cooking instructions have been left out for each recipe. Feel free to use one of the great ideas above. Just substitute the following ingredients.

Each recipe below assumes 1 1/2 to two pounds of meat. Comment below with your favorite steak seasoning recipe!

Basic
“Generous amounts” of Kosher Salt – use more then you think nesseccary. Salt should cover the meat to the edges.
Fresh Ground Pepper

Brazil (Garlic)
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring
1 pinch cayenne pepper

Brazil (Northern)
6 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons sea salt
1 teaspoon white pepper

Canada (Montreal)
(This is essentially the famous Mccormick’s famous steak seasoning)
2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons crushed black pepper
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon granulated onion
1 tablespoon crushed coriander
1 tablespoon dill
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes

Canada (Quebec)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup real maple syrup
ground pepper
1 tablespoon beef bouillon concentrate

Chinese (Kung-Pao style)
2 tablespoons Hoisin
1.5 tablespoons sriracha
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
2 cloves garlic
1 bunch scallions, minced
1 ounce white vinegar

English (Pub Style)
1 packet of beef base (soup bouillon)
2 ounces olive oil
1.2 teaspoon sea salt
1 clove garlic, minced
1 shallot, minced

English (London Broil)
5 large garlic cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup dry red wine
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon honey

Japanese (Hibachi)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2″ (5 cm) daikon radish
1½ Tbsp. oil
2 cloves garlic
2 Tbsp. dry sherry
1 green onion/scallion for garnish
3 Tbsp. ponzu sauce

Japanese (Teriyaki)
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons mirin
2 tablespoons sake
2 tablespoons soy sauce

Korean (Kalbi)
¼ cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons sesame oil
½ onion
1 tablespoon garlic
1 green onion
¼ tablespoon black pepper

Malaysian
1 tablespoon shrimp paste
1 inch ginger, grated
1/2 inch turmeric, fresh, grated
2 limes, zested and juiced
1/2 tablespoon coconut sugar
1 stalk lemon grass, minced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 dried red chili

Mexican (Carne Asada)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons cumin
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon dried ancho pepper, ground
2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
2 cloves garlic
1 lime, juiced
1/4 cup cilantro
4 tablespoons dark Mexican beer (optional)

Mexican (Tequila Carne Asada)
1/2 cup tequila
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup orange juice
4 cloves garlic crushed
2 teaspoons black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt

North Africa
2 tablespoons dark chili powder
1 tablespoon harrissa paste
1 orange, zested and juiced
2 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon olive oil

Spanish
2 tablespoons sea salt
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 oranges, zested and juiced
2 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley

Tex-Mex
1 cup ancho chile powder
1/3 cup smoked paprika
3 tablespoon dried oregano
3 tablespoon dried mustard
3 tablespoon dried coriander
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
zest of 2 limes

Other #1
1/3 cup Honey
1 tablespoon whole seed mustard
1/3 cup oyster sauce

Other #2
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
sprinkle oregano

Comments on Honolulu

Comments on Honolulu

I’m on my first trip to Honolulu. I find it an interestingly juxtaposition of a city for several reason.

First, there are the natives. The overthrow of the Hawaiian Royal Family is either seen as another example of American Capitalism backed American Imperialism, or an successful attempt by the natives themselves to throw off the shackles of Monarchy and join Democracy. All the history signs in the city on statues talking about the last Royal Family, simply state that there was an revolution. I’m looking forward to visiting the Dole Plantation (supposed seat of the American Capitalist forces behind the overthrow,) too see what is said about the revolution there. My guess based on literature so far is that little to nothing will be stated, and the focus of the Plantation will be 100% about the crops they grew.

Except for at Pearl Harbor itself, there is no mention of WWII anywhere on the island. The USS Arizona Memorial was interesting, and brought tears to not just my eyes, but quite a few others too. It was almost exclusively Americans there, most of who were seniors. A few Japanese people were about, and the few Hawaiians I saw all seemed to be employees.

Natives are very much a minority in town. Most people here are mixed race, or pure Japanese. Native Hawaiian culture surrounds us, but it’s all watered down and touristy. Nightly Hulu Shows on the beach, lei’s on all the statues. But most interestingly, not in the food. Everything is either Japanese inspired, or WWII short ration inspired. Lots of rice, cheap meat with teriyaki sauce, brown gravy. Few vegetables or salads on menus. And, much fewer fish options that I expected.

Japanese people are everywhere. At least 3 to 1 compared to everyone else together. Those working with public contact speak English very well – usually with very little accent. I also noted that employees will be primarily one race or another. Dining is also staffed along racial/cultural lines. Places geared towards Americans, (Cheese Burger in Paradise, Margaritaville, Planet Hollywood, etc,) are staffed by Americans with a Japanese or Hawaiian employee or two. The Hello Kitty Seafood Buffet (seriously, even has a “licensed by” logo near the name) is 100% Japanese. I’m assuming Hello Kitty herself is also Japanese, but I’m not sure how you’d tell.

The main strip along the beach is definitely geared towards affluent tourists. High End dining (not always good dining though,) high end shopping, high end high-rise hotels. Sidewalks are paved with flagstones and meander back and forth around water features. Gas lit tiki torches cluster under palm trees. It’s all very serene, and somewhat surreal at times.

But two blocks in the scene changes. Lower end dining (and somewhat better tasting,) lower end shopping – IE Three T-Shirts OR Two Bikinis for $20.

The big hotels all double as shopping malls. The first two or three stories are completely devoted to dining or shopping. This caused a bit of problem at check in, as I was confused walking in – the signs said “Front Desk,” then they changed the nomenclature to “Reception,” so I spent a good 30 minutes trying to figure out where to even check in.

Another thing I never saw in the tour books – prostitution. First night here I didn’t get into the hotel until near midnight local time. The hotel’s restaurants were closed, so I walked along the street looking for something, anything open and edible. There was a group of three girls standing on the corner right across from the police station. A bit further down the street, a fairly pretty, but VERY thing blonde accosted me in the middle of the side walk and flat out said “Wanna come to my room for some fun.” Two blocks down further, another blond, quite a bit chubbier this time tried to talk to me. I politely said “No Thank You,” and walked by. As I was coming back (not able to find anything edible that direction,) she started getting mad that I was walking by again, and demanded for me to come over to her! Still further on, another girl physically blocked my way and moved to block me as I tried to get around her, even after I said “No thanks,” twice.

There were a few Japanese girls working too, but they would only approach Japanese Guys, and even then, only the young ones, mid-twenties and younger.

I asked a police officer about it, and he said that as long as they don’t make trouble they let them do their thing because it helps bring in the tourists. He did ask me to describe the one who blocked my way and said he’d go talk to her as that was going too far.

Scenery wise, I’m having a hard time getting into things. I don’t find the ocean that interesting in general. What scenery there is in the immediate area is covered with huge blocky hotels. The beach scenery is non-existent. I’d try to talk more to some of the Japanese People, but my Japanese is pretty much limited to “Ready the forward laser gun! FIre!,” and “Good Day, do you speak English?” Two phrases that will only get me so far.

I’m looking forward to discovering the rest of the Island. I’m hoping that things will be different once we get further away from Honolulu.

Analysis of the Japanese “invasion” of Hawaii

Analysis of the Japanese “invasion” of Hawaii

This is a very nice article on the potential invasion of Hawaii by the Japanese in World War II after their victory at Midway. It’s quite illuminating, and explains a lot about how Japan was really doing during the war. Not pointed out specifically, it’s also quite apparent that Japan would have been pushed back sooner or later, so it’s no wonder the US concentrated on European Operations first.

It’s also apparent, that had the Japanese not attacked Peal Harbor in the first place, the war might have turned out much differently for them.

http://www.combinedfleet.com/pearlops.htm