It's Grilling Season: Preparing The Perfect Cut

If you are like us here at L’Andana, your Independence Day celebrations this year are going to center around food. And what food is more American than a tender, juicy cut of steak? We sat down with Executive Chef Marvin Posada and asked him to share all of his secrets to choosing and grilling the perfect cut of meat.

The first and most important step is to begin with the right piece of beef. Finding a local butcher is an investment that will be worth both your time and money. The USDA grades beef on three different levels, select, choice, and prime. Unlike your neighborhood supermarket, a respective butcher will have more access to prime cuts of beef. Prime beef is produced exclusively from young, well-fed beef cattle. Let’s just say this is not your grandmother’s meatloaf…

Another aspect of choosing the right steak is to determine the type of cut. For example, a filet cut is the more lean and tender of the options. However, Chef Marvin’s personal favorite cut is a Prime Rib Eye! He explained to us that the fatty marbling in this cut helps to give it the flavor that any steak lover craves. Chef Marvin says that to really bring out the flavors of this prime cut of meat, you want to use a simple seasoning and if possible, a wood-grill, which accentuates the flavor the meat.

Beginning with a room temperature steak, drizzle over a mixture of olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon zest. Resist the temptation to fuss over the meat, to retain its juicy tenderness…hands off the merchandise. Grill on medium heat, turning 90° every 2-3 minutes. After the meat has completed a 360° turn, flip over and repeat. You will then move the steak to low heat, cooking 4 minutes per side. Let rest for 6 minutes off the grill, drizzle with olive oil and top with fresh parsley and sea salt!

Here at L’Andana we serve our steaks with a salt baked potato and grilled romaine with gorgonzola.  Although on the 4^th of July, you can never go wrong with a sweet ear of corn on the cob! We would love to hear about some of your favorite foods to fire up on the grill. Have a wonderful, safe and delicious holiday weekend!