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{{About|different types of steak|beef steaks|beefsteak}}
{{TAFI}}
{{good article}}
[[File:BeefCutPlate.png|thumb|BeefCutPlate]]
[[File:Tradicinis didkepsnis restorane STEAKHOUSE HAZIENDA.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A beef steak dinner, served with roasted eggplant, zucchini and garlic]]
{{steak}}
A '''steak''' is a [[meat cuts|cut]] of [[meat]] sliced perpendicular to the muscle fibers, potentially including a bone. When the word "steak" is used without qualification, it generally refers to a [[beefsteak]]. In a larger sense, there are also fish steaks, ground meat steaks, pork steak and many more varieties.
As a "top-quality ingredient", beef steaks "are perfect if properly [[grilling|grilled]]",<ref name=Carrier>{{cite book|last1=Carrier|first1=Robert|authorlink=Robert Carrier (chef)|title=Robert Carrier's Kitchen|date=1981-01-01|publisher=Marshall Cavendish|location=London, UK|page=1456|volume=1|ref=B004MC1Z38}}</ref> but they can be [[Pan frying|pan-fried]], or [[broiling#Overhead grilling/oven pan broiling|broiled]]. Grilling a steak often attempts to replicate the flavor of steak cooked over the glowing coals of an open fire.<ref name=Carrier/> Steak can also be cooked in sauce, such as in [[steak and kidney pie]], or [[mincing|minced]] and formed into [[patty|patties]], such as [[hamburger]]s.


"Steaks" are also cut from grazing animals, usually farmed, other than cattle, including [[bison]], [[camel meat|camel]], [[Goat meat|goat]], [[Horse meat|horse]], [[Kangaroo meat|kangaroo]], [[sheep meat|sheep]], [[ostrich]], [[pig meat|pigs]], [[reindeer]], [[turkey meat|turkey]] and [[deer meat|deer]], as well as various types of [[fish meat|fish]], especially [[salmon]]. Some cured meat, such as [[Gammon (meat)|gammon]], is commonly served as steak.
The word '''steak''' originates from the mid-15th century Scandinavian word ''[[wikt:steik|steik]]'' or '''stickna''' in the Middle English dialect along with the [[Old Norse]] word '''steikja'''.<ref name="merriam">{{cite encyclopedia|title=steak (n.)|encyclopedia=Merriam-Webster |year=2014 |publisher=Merriam-Webster, Inc|accessdate=2014-10-02|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steak |id= }}</ref>


Grilled [[Agaricus bisporus|Portobello mushroom]] may be called mushroom steak, and similarly for other vegetarian dishes.<ref>[http://www.canadianliving.com/food/mushroom_steaks.php Mushroom steaks]</ref> Imitation steak is a food product that is formed into a steak shape from various pieces of meat, while fruits such as watermelon can be grilled and described as "watermelon steak" because of their shape and color.
Steak is generally a [[cut of beef]] sliced perpendicular to the muscle fibers, or of [[fish (food)|fish]] cut perpendicular to the spine. Meat steaks are usually [[grilling|grilled]], [[Pan frying|pan-fried]], or [[broiling#Overhead grilling/oven pan broiling|broiled]], while fish steaks may also be [[baking|baked]].
Steak can also be meat cooked in sauce, such as [[steak and kidney pie]], or minced meat formed into a steak shape, such as [[Salisbury steak]] and [[hamburger|hamburger steak]]. Without qualification, the word "steak" generally refers to [[beefsteak]]. Steaks from other animals are usually qualified as such - for example, 'swordfish steak' or 'venison steak'.


==Types of steak==
==Etymology==
The word steak originates from the mid-15th century Scandinavian word ''[[wikt:steik|steik]]'', or ''stickna''' in the Middle English dialect, along with the [[Old Norse]] word ''steikja''.<ref name="merriam">{{cite encyclopedia|title=steak (n.)|encyclopedia=Merriam-Webster|year=2014|publisher=Merriam-Webster, Inc|accessdate=2014-10-02|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steak|id=}}</ref> The [[Oxford English Dictionary|Oxford English Dictionary's]] first reference is to "a thick slice of meat cut for roasting or grilling or frying, sometimes used in a pie or pudding; especially a piece cut from the hind-quarters of the animal." Subsequent parts of the entry, however, refer to "steak fish", which referred to "cod of a size suitable for cutting into steaks", and also "steak-raid", which was a custom among [[Scottish Highlands|Scottish Highlanders]] of giving some cattle being driven through a gentleman's land to the owner.<ref name="oxford">{{cite encyclopedia|title=The Compact Edition|encyclopedia=Oxford English Dictionary|year=1933|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=England,UK|id=10104594|page=883|volume=2|isbn=9780198611172|url=http://book.stanford.edu/view/10104594|accessdate=2014-10-14}}</ref> An early written usage of the word "stekys" comes from a 15th-century cookbook, and makes reference to both beef or [[venison]] steaks.<ref name=dinerdic>{{cite book|last1=Ayto|first1=John|title=The Diner's Dictionary: Word Origins of Food and Drink|date=1990|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-964024-9|pages=351–2}}</ref>


===7-bone roast===
==Production==
{{see also|Meat cutter|Meat packing industry}}
[[Livestock]] for meat to be used as steak cuts may be raised on a farm or [[ranch]]. The meat from various [[Game (food)|wild game]] may also be used for steak cuts.

The trade in steaks from [[bushmeat]] is a serious threat to biodiversity, as commercial harvesting could endanger species.<ref name=cowlishaw>{{cite journal|last1=Cowlishaw|first1=Guy|last2=Mendelson|first2=Samantha|last3=Rowcliffe|first3=Marcus J|title=Evidence for post-depletion sustainability in a mature bushmeat market|journal=Journal of Applied Ecology|date=9 June 2005|volume=42|issue=3|pages=460–468|doi=10.1111/j.1365-2664.2005.01046.x|url=http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/store/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2005.01046.x/asset/j.1365-2664.2005.01046.x.pdf?v=1&t=i15v02ia&s=06c5a78786da734233d49d335400bec803907833|accessdate=12 October 2014|publisher=Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London|location=London, UK|format=PDF}}</ref>

<center><gallery caption="" widths="220px" heights="160px">
File:Los Animales en la Estancia (5451915873).jpg|A sheep ranch ([[Estancia]]) in Argentina
File:Cattle grazing near Hunningham - geograph.org.uk - 1575393.jpg|[[Cattle]] [[grazing]] in England
File:Fish-farms-vietnam.jpg|Fish farming in Vietnam. Houseboat rafts with rearing cages underneath.

</gallery></center>

==Marketing and sales==
[[File:Carnival World Buffet, The Rio, Las Vegas Nevada 6.jpg|thumb|275px|A [[standing rib roast]], also known as prime rib, which is cut into steaks]]
Countries with enough suitable land for grazing animals, in particular cattle, have a history of production and culinary use of steak. Such countries include Argentina, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Asian countries, such as China and Korea, steak is traditionally sliced and [[Stir frying|stir-fried]] and served in smaller amounts as part of a mixed dish.<ref name=Symons>"Chinese peasants had already mastered the richly varied environment and knew every edible part of it, which helped them to withstand famine. The stir-fry technique conserved precious firewood and enabled cooks to be exceedingly adaptable." {{cite book|last1=Symons|first1=Michael|title=One Continuous Picnic: A gastronomic history of Australia|date=2007|edition= 2nd|publisher=Melbourne University Press|location=Carlton, Victoria|pp=86–87|isbn=9780522853230}}</ref>

===Argentina===
In Argentina, beef represents a large portion of the country's export market. A total of 11.8 million animals were slaughtered in 2010. The country has one of the largest consumptions of beef [[per capita]] worldwide,<ref name=AnimalFrontiers>{{cite journal|first1=Hugo M|last1=Arelovich|first2=Rodrigo D|last2=Bravo|first3=Marcela F|last3=Martínez|title=Development, Characteristics & Trends for Beef Cattle Production in Argentina|url=http://www.animalfrontiers.org/content/1/2/37.full|date=October 2011|volume=1|issue=2|pages=37–45|publisher=Animal Frontiers|accessdate=9 October 2014}}</ref> and much of it is barbecued steak. Beef steak consumption is described as part of the "Argentine national identity".<ref name=Romero>{{cite web|last1=Romero|first1=Simon|title=Argentina Falls From Its Throne as King of Beef|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/world/americas/argentina-falls-from-its-throne-as-king-of-beef.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&|publisher=''New York Times''|date=13 June 2013|accessdate=13 October 2014}}</ref> In 2010, there were 244,000 cattle producers in Argentina.<ref name=GAIN>{{cite web|title=Argentina Livestock and Products Annual 2011|url=http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Recent%20GAIN%20Publications/Livestock%20and%20Products%20Annual_Buenos%20Aires_Argentina_9-14-2011.pdf|website=[[Foreign Agricultural Service]]|publisher=[[United States Department of Agriculture]]|accessdate=12 October 2014}}</ref> In Argentina, a steakhouse is referred to as a ''parrilla'', which are common throughout the country.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=AX170vTlnCIC&pg=PA288|title=DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Argentina|publisher=Penguin|author=Moss, Chris; McGarvey, Declan|year=2010|pages=288|isbn=0756686571}}</ref> Portion sizes of steak dishes in Argentine restaurants tend to be large, with steaks weighing over 454&nbsp;grams (one pound) being commonplace.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=sJurYloZsbcC&pg=PA39|title=Argentina|publisher=Globe Pequot|author=Yogerst, Joe; Mellin, Maribeth|year=2001|pages=39|isbn=0762703547}}</ref> [[Asado]] is a traditional dish that often includes steak and is also the standard word for "barbecue" in Argentina and other countries. Asado is considered a [[national dish]] of the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://viaresto.com/Notas/El-asado-660.aspx|title=El asado|date=28 April 2010|work=Vía Restó.com|publisher=Grupo Clarín|location=Buenos Aires|language=Spanish |trans_title=The asado|accessdate=29 December 2012|quote=Nacido en el centro de las costumbres gauchas, el asado se impuso como el plato nacional por excelencia.}}</ref>

===Australia===
Domestic and international marketing of Australian beef is undertaken by [[Meat & Livestock Australia]], a corporation which runs programs related to quality assurance, sustainable production and environmental considerations, through organizations such as Meat Standards Australia (MLA).<ref>[http://www.mla.com.au/Marketing-beef-and-lamb Meat & Livestock Australia: marketing]</ref>

===Ireland===
The Irish agricultural beef market is a contributor to the economy of Ireland. A significant amount of Irish beef is exported to other countries, with over 50% of exported beef going to the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=JtmDwGLEjsIC&pg=PA69|title=EU Beef Farming Systems and CAP Regulations|publisher=Wageningen Academic|author=Sarzeaud, Patrick; Dimitriadou, Andie; Zjalic, Milan|year=2008|pages=69|isbn=9086860583}}</ref>

===New Zealand===
The "Steak of Origin" competition has been run for a decade on behalf of the Beef+Lamb Corporation of New Zealand. It "aims to find the most tender and tasty sirloin steak" in the country. Criteria for judging include "tenderness, [[pH]], marbling and % cooking loss" as well as taste.<ref>[http://www.beeflambnz.co.nz/index.pl?page=about_steak_of_origin&m=507 Steak of Origin (Beef+Lamb New Zealand)]</ref>

===South Africa===
South Africa uses steak to create [[biltong]], a popular and exported dried and cured form that has found a market in many beef-eating countries.

===United Kingdom===
In the United Kingdom, steak is often served with [[French fries|chips]] and various vegetable accompaniments.

According to a survey by trade magazine ''Caterer and Hotelkeeper'', the most popular dinner menu in British restaurants in the 1980s included steak: being [[prawn cocktail, steak and Black Forest gateau]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Wood|first=Roy C.|title=Strategic Questions in Food and Beverage Management|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=nlXD8m972RMC&pg=PA69|accessdate=October 8, 2014|date=February 17, 2010|publisher=[[Routledge]]|isbn=978-1-136-36209-5|page=69}}</ref>

Cattle breeds such as [[Hereford (cattle)|Hereford]] or [[Aberdeen Angus]] date back to the 1700s, and a handful of farmers continue to raise cattle sired by registered pedigree bulls. Bullocks, which live outdoors year-round, grow slowly as they would in their natural habitat, ultimately producing a distinctly tender meat.<ref name=waitrose>{{cite web|title=Waitrose beef|url=http://www.waitrose.com/home/inspiration/about_waitrose/about_our_food/beef.html|accessdate=8 October 2014}}</ref> Around 2,200,000 cattle are slaughtered for beef each year in the United Kingdom.<ref name=ukfarming>{{cite web|title=Beef farming in the UK|url=http://www.ukagriculture.com/livestock/beef_farming_uk.cfm|website=Living Countryside|accessdate=8 October 2014}}</ref>

===United States===
In the United States, cuts of beef for [[retail]] sale include various beefsteaks, as well as stew meat and hamburger meat.<ref name="USDA-AMS">{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=HTguAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA12|title=Beef marketing margins and costs, Volumes 708–721|publisher=U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Services|year=1956|pages=12–13}}</ref> In the U.S. circa 1956, approximately 24% of retail beef cuts were beef steaks.<ref name="USDA-AMS"/>

Beef production is the largest single agriculture in the United States, with 687,540 farms raising cattle and over a million in the production process, as of the 2007 Agriculture Census. On average, a single farm typically raises about 50 cattle at a time, with 97 percent of the cattle farms classified as one of these small family farms. These smaller farms average a gross cash income of $62,286 per year as of 2007.<ref name=itswhatsfordinner>{{cite journal|title=Cattle Industry: Who We Are|date=2009|url=http://www.explorebeef.org/CMDocs/ExploreBeef/FactSheet_CattleIndustryWhoWeAre.pdf|accessdate=8 October 2014|publisher=Cattlemen's Beef Board and National Cattlemen's Beef Association|format=PDF}}</ref><ref name=epaproduction>{{cite web|title=Beef Production|url=http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/beef.html|publisher=United States Environmental Protection Agency|accessdate=8 October 2014|date=2013-04-12}}</ref>

==Cooking==
{{see also|List of steak dishes}}
[[File:London broil.jpg|thumb|240px|[[London broil]] is a [[North America]]n [[beef]] dish made by [[broiling]] or [[grilling]] [[marinating|marinated]] [[flank steak]], then cutting it across the grain into thin strips.]]
{{Quotation|
''A grilled steak should no more be kept waiting than should a soufflé or an omelette.'' [[Elizabeth David]]<ref name=david>{{cite book|last1=David|first1=Elizabeth|title=Spices, Salts and Aromatics in the English Kitchen|date=1970|isbn=9781902304663|publisher=Penguin Books|location=Middlesex, England|page=151}}</ref> }}

Beef steaks are commonly [[grilled]], [[broiled]] or occasionally [[Frying|fried]]. Grilled beef steaks can be cooked at different [[Temperature (meat)|temperatures]], or for different lengths of time; the resulting cooked steak ranges from blue (very rare) to overdone. The most common characteristics of a rare steak is a soft, cold, red center. The outside is [[Searing|seared]] for [[Maillard reaction|flavor]], while the inside is cooked to suit the diner's preference. Steaks cooked well-done are typically cooked throughout the entire cut of meat. For example, a beefsteak cooked well-done will not have any pinkness in the middle when sliced. Uncooked beef steak can be served raw, such as in [[steak tartare]].

Fish steaks are generally cooked for a short time, as the flesh cooks quickly, especially when grilled. Fish steaks, such as tuna, can also be cooked to various temperatures, such as rare and medium-rare.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=2M4WAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA107|title=A Cook's Guide to Knowing When Food Is Perfectly Cooked|publisher=Chronicle Books|last1=Peterson|first1=James|year=2014|pages=107|isbn=1452132283}}</ref>

The cuts of steak are quite dissimilar between countries owing different methods of cutting up the carcass. The result is that a steak found in one country is not the same as in another, although the recipes may be the same, differing "only in their sauces, butters or [[Garnish (food)|garnitures]]".<ref name=BBC>{{cite book|last1=Beck|first1=Simone|last2=Bertholle|first2=Louisette|last3=Child|first3=Julia|authorlink1=Simone Beck|authorlink2=Louisette Bertholle|authorlink3=Julia Child|title=Mastering the Art of French Cooking|date=1961|publisher=Penguin Books|location=Middlesex, England|pages=315–317|ref=B002A56I5E}}</ref>

==Dining==

{{Quote box
|width = 20em
|border = 1px
|align = right
|fontsize = 100%
|salign = left
|quote =
<center>'''''French steak cuts as found on menus'''''</center>
* '''[[Entrecôte]]''': rib steak, cut from the fore and wing end parts of the [[Standing rib roast|rib-roast]] sections, ribs 9-11
* '''Romsteck''' or '''Rumsteck''': [[rump steak]] cut from the part of the rump which faces the large end of the filet. Need to be best quality, well-aged.
*'''Faux filet''' or '''Contre fillet''': the boneless uppercut of the loin, corresponding to the larger, less tender part of a porterhouse or [[T-bone steak]]
* '''Bifteck''': cut from the larger less tender end of the [[Fillet (cut)|fillet]], or any lean, boneless steak from a reasonably tender part of the animal
* '''[[Chateaubriand steak|Châteaubriand]]''': corresponds to the undercut or fillet portion of a porterhouse steak.<ref name=BBC/>
}}
{{Quotation|
''Down on the place d'Armes near Racouchot's, there was a restaurant ...the Pré Aux Clercs ... [that] made very good grilled rare steaks with watercress, which at that time were beginning to be in great vogue in the big cities among the younger generation ...''les sportifs''... but were dismissed with impatient disgust by older gourmands raised in the intricate traditions of fine sauces and culinary disguise. It was like the Chateaubriant at the other end of the town, also known mostly for its steak and watercress and french fries.'' [[M. F. K. Fisher]], writing about dining in [[Dijon]] in 1929.<ref name=Fisher>{{cite book|last1= [[M.F.K. Fisher]]|title=Long ago in France|date=1993|publisher=Flamingo|location=London|isbn=058609248X|page=39}}</ref> }}

Steak has become a popular dish in many places around the world, cooked in domestic as well as professional kitchens, and is often a primary ingredient in a menu. It is used in small amounts in an [[hors d'oeuvre]], in an [[entrée]] dish or more usually, in a larger amount as the main course. A [[steak knife]] is a specialized piece of [[cutlery]] to make cutting the steak easier. It is sharper than other knives and has a serrated edge. Steak has also been an important breakfast dish, especially for people undertaking hard outdoor work, such as farmers.<ref name="O'Connor">{{cite book|last1=O'Conner|first1=Elizabeth|title=Steak for breakfast|date=1958|publisher=Sydney, NSW: Angus & Robertson|ref=B0000CJZG3}}</ref> When ordering steak at a restaurant, it is common practice to advise the chef or person taking orders of how you would like your steak cooked. The terms rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well or well-done denote individual preferences. Print references to the word "rare" go back at least to the 17th century c. 1615.<ref name=olver>"["implied in: G. Markham Eng. Hus-wife in Countrey Contentments ii. 54 To know when meate is rosted enough, for as too much rareness is vnwholsome, so too much drinesse is not nourishing. [at rareness n.2] 1776 G. Colman Spleen ii. 26 For which reason they leave the food without any juices at all. Without them, Sir, instead of beef or mutton, you might as well eat mahogany?. Eat your meat as rare as possible, Sir..."{{cite web|last1=Olver|first1=Lynne|title=The Food Timeline|url=http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodmeats.html|accessdate=8 October 2014|date=2014-08-18}}</ref>

===Steak clubs===
[[File:Beefsteak-badge.jpg|thumb|left|80px|Badge of the [[Beefsteak Club|Sublime Society of Beef Steaks]]: a [[barbecue grill|grill]] and the motto "Beef and Liberty"]]
[[File:leaperrins.png|thumb|left|100px|[[Lea & Perrins]] [[Worcestershire sauce]] Advertisement (1900)]]
[[Beefsteak Club]]s were once part of London's club life. They were described as "a club of ancient institution in every theatre; when the principal performers dined one day in the week together (generally Saturday), and authors and other geniuses were admitted members."<ref name=Timbs>{{cite book|last1=Timbs|first1=John|title=Club Life of London with Anecdotes of the Clubs, Coffee-Houses and Taverns of the Metropolis During the 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries:|date=1866|publisher=Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street|location=London|page=159}}</ref> [[Samuel Johnson|Dr Johnson's]] [[Ivy Lane Club|club in Ivy lane]] was originally a Beef-Steak Club and the "Rump-Steak or Liberty Club" was in existence from 1733–34.<ref name=Timbs/> The present-day Beefsteak Club, established in 1876, is at 9 Irving Street, London. Among its [[List of Beefsteak Club (London) members|members]] are many notable people.

===Steakhouses===
A [[steakhouse]] is a [[restaurant]] that specializes in beefsteaks and other individual portions of meat. Chophouses started in [[London]] in the 1690s, and served individual portions of meat, known as [[meat chop|chops]].<ref>Alan Davidson, ''[[Oxford Companion to Food]]'', ''s.v.'' 'chop'</ref> The houses were normally only open for men: for example, women were only admitted to Stone's Chop House in 1921.<ref name=Burnett>{{cite book|last1=Burnett|first1=John|title=England Eats Out: A Social History of Eating Out in England from 1830 to the Present|date=2004|publisher=Pearson/Longman|page=101|isbn=0-582-47266-0}}</ref><ref name="Stone's">{{cite book|last=Virginia|first=Curle|title=A History of Stone's Chop House|date=1963|location=London, England}}</ref>
Accounts of travellers in 19th century London refer to their "dining off mutton chop, rump steak and a 'weal' cutlet", as well as hams and sirloins.<ref name=Ackroyd>{{cite book|last1=[[Peter Ackroyd]]|title=London the biography|date=2003|publisher=Anchor books|location=New York|isbn=0-385-49771-7|page=310|edition=1st Anchor Books ed.}}</ref>

[[Delmonico's]] restaurant in [[New York City]], which opened in 1827 and stayed open for almost 100 years, has been described as "the most famous steak restaurant in American history".<ref name=Schatzker>{{cite book|last1=Schatzker|first1=Mark|title=Steak: One Man's Search for the World's Tastiest Piece of Beef|date=2010|publisher=Penguin Group|location=New York|isbn=1101190108}}</ref> [[Delmonico steak]] refers to a method of preparation from one of several cuts of beef (typically the rib cut) prepared Delmonico style, originally from the mid-19th century.<ref>{{cite web|title=Delmonico steak: a mystery solved|url=http://www.steakperfection.com/delmonico/Steak.html|author=Joe O' Connell|accessdate=2007-03-17}}</ref>

Hundreds of restaurants continue to specialize in serving steak, describing themselves as "steakhouses", competing for culinary awards and aiming for culinary excellence.

===Sauces and condiments===
{{See also|Steak sauce}}

[[File:Filet mignon au poivre.jpg|thumb|''[[Steak au poivre]]'' prepared with [[filet mignon]] and [[peppercorn sauce]]]]
Classic sauces and seasonings to accompany steak include:
* [[Béarnaise sauce]]
* [[Café de Paris sauce]]
* [[Compound butter]]s such as parsley butter (to create ''Entrecôte à la Bretonne''), [[garlic butter]] or snail butter
* [[Demi-glace]], a rich [[Brown sauce (meat stock based)|brown sauce]] in [[French cuisine]] used in the preparation of ''[[Tournedos Rossini]]''
* [[Mustard (condiment)|Mustard]] is a perennial favorite accompaniment for steak
* [[Black pepper|Pepper]], to create ''[[Steak au poivre]]''
* [[Peppercorn sauce]]
*''Sauce Nivernaise''
* White wine, to create ''Tournedos au vin blanc''
* [[Worcestershire sauce]], a traditional commercial condiment

Commercially produced bottled sauces for steak and pre-mixed spices are also popular. In 2012 in the U.S., [[A1 Steak Sauce]] had slightly over 50% of the market share for all meat sauce products, and was the category leader.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=cmvmTgt93vcC&pg=PA74|title=Learning From Winners|publisher=Psychology Press|author=Pettit, Raymond|year=2012|pages=74|isbn=1136676767}}</ref> [[Montreal steak seasoning]] is a [[spice mix]] used to flavor steak and grilled meats that was based on the pickling [[Spice rub|dry-rub]] mix used in preparing [[Montreal-style smoked meat|Montreal smoked meat]].<ref name=BB>{{citation|last=Browstein|first=Bill|title=Schwartz's Hebrew Delicatessen: The Story|publisher=Vehicule Press|isbn=978-1-55065-212-3|year=2006}}</ref>

==Cultural significance==
[[File:Reindeer steak.jpg|thumb|A [[reindeer]] steak, cooked rare]]

Steak and other meat products can now be frozen and exported, but before the invention of commercial [[refrigeration]], transporting meat over long distances was impossible. Communities had to rely on what was locally available, which, in turn, determined the forms and tradition of meat consumption. Hunter-gathering peoples cut steaks from local indigenous animals. For example, [[Sami cuisine]] relies partly on the meat of the reindeer; the [[Inuit diet]] uses locally caught sea-mammal meat from whales; [[Indigenous Australians]] ate kangaroo, while [[Native Americans in the United States|indigenous North American]] [[Native American cuisine|food]] included bison steak. In the Middle East, meat recipes from medieval times onwards simply state "meat" without specifying the kind or the cut and "apart from an occasional [[gazelle]], [[goat meat|kid]] or camel", only [[lamb and mutton]] were eaten because cattle were seldom bred.<ref name=Roden>{{cite book|last1=Roden|first1=Claudia|title=A Book of Middle Eastern Cooking|date=1970|publisher=Penguin Books|location=Middlesex, England, New York, New York, Ringwood, Victoria, Australia, Ontario, Canada, Auckland New Zealand|page=212}}</ref>

In contemporary Argentina, where consumption of steak is very high,<ref name=AnimalFrontiers/> steak is a significant part of the national cuisine and the barbecue [[asado]] has the status of a national dish. In Austria, the national dish is [[Wiener Schnitzel]], which is a type of steak made from [[veal]]. Advice on butchery and recipes for [[American black bear]] steak and chops is provided by US governments.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/bear_recipeguide.pdf Bear Recipe Guide (2011)]</ref>

==Types==


===Beefsteak===
===Beefsteak===
{{main|Beefsteak}}
{{main|Beefsteak}}
:''See also: [[Hanging (meat)|Meat hanging]], [[Beef aging]] and [[Cut of beef]]''


The more tender cuts of beef, from the [[loin]] and [[Ribs (food)|rib]], are cooked quickly, using dry heat, and served whole. Less tender cuts from the [[chuck steak|chuck]] or [[round steak|round]] are cooked with moist heat or are mechanically tenderized (''e.g.'' [[cube steak]]).
Many types of beefsteak exist. The more tender cuts of beef, from the [[loin]] and [[Ribs (food)|rib]], are cooked quickly, using dry heat, and served whole. Less tender cuts from the [[chuck steak|chuck]] or [[round steak|round]] are cooked with moist heat or are mechanically tenderized (''e.g.'' [[cube steak]]).
Steak can be cooked to a level of very rare (bleu, a cold raw center), rare, medium rare, medium, medium well done, or well done. Beef, unlike certain other meats, does not need to be cooked through. Food-borne human illnesses are not normally found within a beef steak, though surfaces can potentially be contaminated from handling, and thus, very rare steak (seared on the outside and raw within) is generally accepted as safe.
Beef steak can be cooked to a level of very rare (bleu, a cold raw center), rare, medium rare, medium, medium well done, or well done. [[Pittsburgh rare]] is charred on the outside. Beef, unlike certain other meats, does not need to be cooked through. Food-borne human illnesses are not normally found within a beef steak, though surfaces can potentially be contaminated from handling, and thus, very rare steak (seared on the outside and raw within) is generally accepted as safe.


Beef steak is [[Food grading|graded]] for quality, with higher prices for higher quality. Generally, the higher the quality, the more tender the beef, the less time is needed for cooking, or the better the flavor. For example, beef fillet is the most tender<ref>[http://www.graziersbeef.com.au/favorite_cuts.html Australian cuts of beef]</ref> and [[wagyu]], such as [[Kobe beef]] from Japan, is known for its high quality and commands a high price.<ref>[http://www.blackgoldfarms.com.au/facts.html Facts and origins of wagyu breed]</ref> Steak can be cooked relatively quickly compared to other cuts of meat, particularly when cooked at very high temperatures, such as by broiling or grilling.
===Boston butt===
Boston butt originates from colonial New England, where butchers would commonly take less valuable cuts of pork to pack the bottom of storage and transport barrels. The barrels were called butts.<ref name="9cuts">{{cite web|title=How 9 Cuts of Meat Got Their Names|url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/22382/how-9-cuts-meat-got-their-names|first1=Ethan|last1=Trex|date=2009-07-30}}</ref>


The quality and safety of steak as a food product is regulated by law. In Australia, there are National Meat Accreditation standards;<ref>[http://www.ausmeat.com.au/industry-standards/national-accreditation-standards-%28nas%29.aspx AusMeat Ltd National Accreditation Standards]</ref> in Canada, there is the Canadian Beef Grading Agency;<ref>[http://www.canadabeef.ca/us/en/quality/CBGA/default.aspx The Canadian Beef Grading Agency]</ref> in the United Kingdom, the [[Food Standards Agency]] is responsible;<ref>[http://www.food.gov.uk/business-industry/meat Food Standards Agency: Meat]</ref> in the United States, beef is [[Beef#USDA beef grades|graded]] by the [[United States Department of Agriculture]] (USDA) as select, choice or prime,<ref name="USDA">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/01/28/what%E2%80%99s-your-beef-%E2%80%93-prime-choice-or-select/|title=What's Your Beef&nbsp;– Prime, Choice or Select?|publisher=USDA|date=2013-01-28|accessdate=6 October 2014|author=Meadows, Larry}}</ref> where "prime" refers to beef of the highest quality, typically that which has significant [[Marbled meat|marbling]].<ref name="USDA"/> In 1996 in the U.S., only 2.4% of cattle were graded as prime,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cabpartners.com/news/published/wlj_march_13_20_06.pdf|title=Quality beef demand outstrips supply|publisher=Western Livestock Journal|date=2006-03-13|accessdate=6 October 2014}}</ref> and most prime beef is sold in restaurants and hotels.<ref name="USDA"/>
===Chateaubriand===
<center><gallery caption="" widths="220px" heights="160px">
[[File:Image of freshly prepared chateaubriand steak in the traditional style.jpg|thumb|Image of freshly prepared chateaubriand steak in the traditional style]]
File:Beef inspection USDA.jpg|Inspected beef carcasses tagged by the [[USDA]]
File:Sliced Matsusaka wagyu beef.jpg|High grade sliced [[Matsusaka beef|Matsusaka wagyu beef]] (rib section meat)
File:Matsusaka sirloin.jpg|Matsusaka sirloin steak
</gallery></center>


There is a wide range of quickly prepared and well-known beef steak dishes, including [[Minute steak]], [[steak sandwich]]es, and [[steak and eggs]]. "[[Surf and turf]]", which combines meat and fish, requires more time to prepare. Steak meat is also often minced, shredded, chopped finely or re-formed to create a range of dishes, including [[steak burger]]s, that retain the name "steak". Other such dishes include:
===Filet mignon===
* [[Chicken fried steak]]&nbsp;– a [[breaded cutlet]] dish consisting of a piece of steak (tenderized [[cube steak]]) coated with [[spice|seasoned]] [[flour]] and [[pan-fried]]. It is associated with U.S. [[Southern cuisine]].
[[File:2nd June 2012 Lamb Steak 1.jpg|thumb|Seasoned and [[Grilling|chargrilled]] [[British cuisine|British]] [[Sheep|lamb]] fillet steak]]
* [[Hamburg steak]]&nbsp;– a beefsteak that is shaped into a patty to be cooked after being minced. It is similar to the Salisbury steak. Made popular worldwide by the migrating Germans, it became a mainstream dish around the start of the nineteenth century.
French for ''dainty fillet''.
* [[Restructured steak]]&nbsp;– a class of imitation beef steaks made from smaller pieces of beef fused together by a binding agent. Its development started in the 1970s.
* [[Salisbury steak]], first recorded in 1897 and named after [[James Salisbury]], a doctor during the [[American Civil War]], who recommended people eat hamburger three times per day. During [[World War I]], American solders replaced the word "hamburger" with Salisbury steak for political reasons.<ref name="dictionarycom">{{cite encyclopedia|title=What is the origin of Salisbury steak? How about hamburger?|encyclopedia=Dictionary.com|year=2014|publisher=Random House,Inc|accessdate=2014-10-02|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/help/faq/language/e28.html|id=}}</ref>


===Fish steaks===
===Fish steak===
{{main|Fish steak}}
{{main|Fish steak}}


For fish, steaks are cut perpendicular to the spine and include bones. In North America, fish usually cooked as steaks include [[swordfish]], [[halibut]], and [[tuna]]. Other fish often cooked as steaks include [[salmon]] and [[mahi-mahi]], though they are also frequently cooked as [[Fish fillet|fillet]]s or whole.
Fish steaks are cut perpendicular to the spine and include bones. Although their delicate flesh requires quicker cooking than beef, steaks from [[swordfish]], [[halibut]], [[tuna]], [[salmon]] and [[mahi-mahi]] can be grilled. They are frequently cooked whole or as [[Fish fillet|fillet]]s. Fish steaks may also be [[Poaching (cooking)|poached]] or [[baking|baked]] using a [[Court-bouillon|court bouillon]], wine or sauce or cooked [[en papillote]].<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=PRexZgYY6MUC&pg=PT125|title=Essentials of Cooking|publisher=Artisan Books|author=Peterson, James|year=2003|pages=112–113|isbn=1579652360}}</ref>


Commercial [[sashimi]] tuna steaks may have their coloration fixated by the use of flushing with [[carbon monoxide]] (CO), whereby CO is pumped into bags containing the tuna, which is then stored at 4° Celsius.<ref name="HFF">{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Xr6hTgLRoLIC&pg=PA328|title=Handbook of Frozen Foods|publisher=CRC Press|author=Hui, Y. H.; (et al.)|year=2004|pages=328|isbn=0203022009}}</ref> The duration of time for color fixation to occur varies per the size of the meat. For example, a two-inch tuna steak takes twenty-four hours for color fixation to be completed using this process.<ref name="HFF"/> When utilized, color fixation using CO occurs prior to the vacuum sealing of tuna steaks for storage.<ref name="HFF"/> In Japan, color fixation using CO is prohibited.<ref name="HFF"/>
Unlike beefsteaks, fish steaks are often baked in sauce.


<center><gallery caption="" widths="220px" heights="160px">
===Hanger===
File:Swordfish steaks for sale.JPG|Swordfish steaks for sale at a market
File:Salmon steaks.JPG|Salmon steaks on display
File:tuna steak.JPG|Tuna steak served in a French [[bistro]]
</gallery></center>


===Rib===
===Lamb steak===
[[File:2nd June 2012 Lamb Steak 1.jpg|thumb|Seasoned and chargrilled [[Lamb and mutton|lamb]] fillet steak]]
{{Main|Rib steak}}
A [[rib steak]] is a beef steak sliced from the rib primal of a beef animal, with rib bone attached. In the United States, the term rib eye steak is used for a rib steak with the bone removed; however in some areas, and outside the U.S., the terms are often used interchangeably. The rib eye or "ribeye" was originally, as the name implies, the center best portion of the rib steak, without the bone.


Lamb steaks come from a range of cuts and are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a range of dishes. It can be served warm or cold and is commonly found sliced into salads.<ref name=psilakis>{{cite book|last1=Psilakis|first1=Michael|last2=Binns|first2=Brigit|last3=Shapiro|first3=Ellen|title=How to Roast a Lamb. New Greek Classic Cooking|date=2009|publisher=Little, Brown and Co./Hachette Book Group|location=New York, NY|isbn=9780316071734|edition=1st eBook|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Uea0fuqZgqIC|accessdate=12 October 2014}}</ref>
===Salisbury===
Named after James Henry Salisbury and is first recorded in 1897; Salisbury was a renowned dietitian and nutritionist doctor during during the Civil War. He often recommended poeple eat hamburger 3 times per day. During World War I, American solders replaced the word hamburger with '''Salisbury steak'''. They did not care for using the word hamburger because it had originated from '''Hamburg steak''' from Hamburg, Germany.<ref name="dictionarycom">{{cite encyclopedia|title=What is the origin of Salisbury steak? How about hamburger?|encyclopedia=Dictionary.com |year=2014 |publisher=Random House,Inc|accessdate=2014-10-02|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/help/faq/language/e28.html |id= }}</ref>


===Sirloin===
===Pork steak===
{{Main|Sirloin steak}}
{{main|Pork steak}}
[[Pork]] steaks are generally cut from the [[Pork butt|shoulder]] of the pig, but can also be cut from the [[Pork loin|loin]] or [[Ham hock|leg]] of the pig. Shoulder steaks are cut from the same primal cut of meat most commonly used for [[pulled pork]], and can be quite tough without long cooking times due to the high amount of [[collagen]] in the meat; therefore, pork shoulder steaks are often cooked slower than a typical [[Beef steak#Types of beef steaks|beef steak]], and may be stewed or simmered in [[barbecue sauce]] during cooking.
The [[sirloin steak]] is a portion of the sirloin part of the cow which is near the cow's rear, the nearer the meat is from the rear, the tenderer it is likely to be, like the [[rump steak]]. Although there are two parts of the sirloin: [[upper sirloin]] is generally more expensive than the [[lower sirloin]] because it is more tender. Sirloin steaks are often served at steakhouses and are often accompanied with [[French fries]] and vegetables such as [[broccoli]], [[carrots|carrot]] or [[peas]]. They are usually cooked by [[grilled|grilling]] or [[frying]].


Cooked gammon steaks are a component of a [[full breakfast]], whereas ham steaks from a rolled pork loin are more likely to be served at lunch.
===Skirt===
{{Main|Skirt steak}}
A [[skirt steak]] is a part of the plate (situated at the cow's abdomen), the steak is long, thick and tender and it is usually priced by its flavour rather than the tenderness because its flavour is better than its tenderness. Skirt steaks are not to be confused with [[flank steak]]s because they are near the [[sirloin]] and [[shank (meat)|shank]]. Skirt steaks are used in many international cuisines: [[Mexico|Mexican cuisine]] use this steak for [[fajitas]] and [[arrachera]]. In the [[United Kingdom]] it is often used as filling for [[Cornish pasties]] as well as vegetables such as [[carrot]] and [[potato]]. In [[China|Chinese cuisine]] it is used for stir-fries, in [[Eastern Europe|Spanish cuisine]] the steak is made for [[churrasco]] and [[Italy|Italian cuisine]] use skirt steak for making [[bolognese sauce]] as well as with [[tomato]]es.


A [[Boston butt]] is a type of pork steak originating from colonial New England, where butchers would pack less valuable cuts of pork in barrels, called butts.<ref name="gagliardi">{{US patent reference| number = US 5195924 A| y =1993| m =03| d =23| inventor = Eugene D. Gagliardi, Jr.| title = Method of butchering an animal carcass to produce a generally flat, boneless meat product and meat product produced}}</ref>
===T-bone===
{{Main|T-bone steak|Porterhouse steak}}
[[File:Steak 03 bg 040306.jpg|thumb|A [[T-bone steak]] being cooked on a [[Barbecue grill|grill]]]]


<center><gallery caption="" widths="220px" heights="160px">
A [[T-bone steak]] is a steak that comes from the short loin which is at the cow's lower back area. When being processed, these steaks are normally cut nearer to the front of the animal with an area of [[Beef tenderloin|tenderloin]] still attached. Porterhouse steaks have a larger tenderloin section than T-bones.
File:HK Wellcome Shop frozen pork meat Ham Steak Nutrition Information Dairy Farm Intl barcode Sept-2012.JPG|Frozen ham steak for sale in Hong Kong
File:Pork loin ham 2.jpg|[[Ham]] steaks
File:Flatten pork steaks-01.jpg|[[Pork steak]]s being flattened
</gallery></center>


===Vegetarian steak===
T-bone steaks are commonly [[grilled]], [[broiled]] or occasionally [[Frying|fried]] so that the outside is browned while the inside is maintained to desired doneness – usually from rare to medium rare, although this cut of steak, when well aged, will retain its tenderness even if well done.


Sliced vegetables can be used as vegetarian "steaks", such as cauliflower, portobello mushrooms, and eggplant.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Yonan|first1=Joe|title=Weeknight Vegetarian: Craving a vegetable 'steak'|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/weeknight-vegetarian-craving-a-vegetable-steak/2013/05/20/8f6733ea-be66-11e2-9b09-1638acc3942e_story.html|website=Washington Post|accessdate=9 October 2014}}</ref> [[Bean]]s and [[legume]]s (such as [[soybean]]s) have also been used to form steak foods.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Bean "steak" manufactured for factory menus|journal=[[New Scientist]]|date=5 Oct 1972|volume=56|issue=814|page=21|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=AVgAFk6u_CMC&pg=PA21|publisher=[[Reed Business Information]]|accessdate=15 October 2014|issn=0262-4079}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=D8IvAAAAYAAJ&q=vegetarian+%22Bean+steak%22&dq=vegetarian+%22Bean+steak%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Iyw2VIaDJM2kyAS32YHYBQ&ved=0CEoQ6AEwBTgK|title=Beef processing and marketing: proceedings of an International Symposium held in Dublin, April 28–29, 1971|publisher=An Foras Talúntais|date=1971|accessdate=8 October 2014|author=Institute of Food Science and Technology (U.K.), Ireland. Irish Livestock and Meat Commission|pages=22}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=lYrGAAAAMAAJ&q=vegetarian+%22Bean+steak%22&dq=vegetarian+%22Bean+steak%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Iyw2VIaDJM2kyAS32YHYBQ&ved=0CF4Q6AEwCTgK|title=Minutes of the Wartime Conference of General Managers|publisher=W.E. Long Company|date=1943|accessdate=8 October 2014|pages=19}}</ref> [[Watermelon steak]]s are steak-shaped pieces of watermelon, often prepared by grilling. Its texture has been compared to that of seared meat, and it has been described as unique in its taste and texture.
===Porterhouse===
The origin of porter-house steak is disputed but there is evidence to support that it originated on Pearl Street in Manhattan, New York approximately 1814 when Martin Morrison operated as the porter house proprietor and began serving particularly large T-bone steaks.<ref name="9cuts"/> The origin of the word '''porterhouse''' comes from the Porter House hotel which operated in Flowery Branch, Georgia in the late-19th century. The word ''porter'' itself originates from the latin word ''portare'' (to carry), later the medieval latin word ''portator'' which is further translated to ''porteour'' in old french to finally come to the name ''porter'' in Middle English.


<center><gallery caption="" widths="200px" heights="160px">
===Swiss steak===
File:Bean steaks.JPG|Bean steaks, served with a sauce
Swiss steak refers to the meat having gone through a process called ''swissing''.
File:Bishop, East Dulwich, London (3666527372).jpg|An [[eggplant]] steak burger topped with [[Feta]] cheese
File:Grilled watermelon.JPG|Watermelon steaks on a grill
</gallery></center>


==See also==
==See also==
{{portal|Food}}
{{portal|Food|Agriculture and Agronomy}}
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Chuck steak]]
* [[Flank steak]]
* [[List of beef dishes]]
* [[List of beef dishes]]
* [[List of steak dishes]]
* [[Marbled meat]]
* [[Meat chop]]
* [[Meat on the bone]]
* [[Meat on the bone]]
* [[Pork steak]]
* [[Rib eye steak]]
* [[Standing rib roast]] (prime rib)
* [[Strip steak]]
* [[Surf and turf]]

{{div col end}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ew06iEKr63AC&printsec=frontcover|title=Raising Steaks: The Life and Times of American Beef|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt|author=Fussell, Betty Harper|year=2008|isbn=0151012024}}

{{Subject bar |commons=y |commons-search=steaks |n=y |wikt=y |q=y |s=y |v=y}}


{{Meat}}
{{Meat}}
{{Cuts of beef}}
{{Cuts of beef}}
{{Beef}}
{{cuisine}}
{{cuisine}}


[[Category:Meat dishes]]
[[Category:Fish dishes]]
[[Category:Steak]]
[[Category:Steak]]
[[Category:Dishes involving the consumption of live animals]]
[[Category:Cold cut]]
[[Category:Beef]]
[[Category:Beef]]
[[Category:Smoked meat]]
[[Category:Fish dishes]]
[[Category:Lists of foods]]

Revision as of 07:53, 26 November 2014

A beef steak dinner, served with roasted eggplant, zucchini and garlic

A steak is a cut of meat sliced perpendicular to the muscle fibers, potentially including a bone. When the word "steak" is used without qualification, it generally refers to a beefsteak. In a larger sense, there are also fish steaks, ground meat steaks, pork steak and many more varieties. As a "top-quality ingredient", beef steaks "are perfect if properly grilled",[1] but they can be pan-fried, or broiled. Grilling a steak often attempts to replicate the flavor of steak cooked over the glowing coals of an open fire.[1] Steak can also be cooked in sauce, such as in steak and kidney pie, or minced and formed into patties, such as hamburgers.

"Steaks" are also cut from grazing animals, usually farmed, other than cattle, including bison, camel, goat, horse, kangaroo, sheep, ostrich, pigs, reindeer, turkey and deer, as well as various types of fish, especially salmon. Some cured meat, such as gammon, is commonly served as steak.

Grilled Portobello mushroom may be called mushroom steak, and similarly for other vegetarian dishes.[2] Imitation steak is a food product that is formed into a steak shape from various pieces of meat, while fruits such as watermelon can be grilled and described as "watermelon steak" because of their shape and color.

Etymology

The word steak originates from the mid-15th century Scandinavian word steik, or stickna' in the Middle English dialect, along with the Old Norse word steikja.[3] The Oxford English Dictionary's first reference is to "a thick slice of meat cut for roasting or grilling or frying, sometimes used in a pie or pudding; especially a piece cut from the hind-quarters of the animal." Subsequent parts of the entry, however, refer to "steak fish", which referred to "cod of a size suitable for cutting into steaks", and also "steak-raid", which was a custom among Scottish Highlanders of giving some cattle being driven through a gentleman's land to the owner.[4] An early written usage of the word "stekys" comes from a 15th-century cookbook, and makes reference to both beef or venison steaks.[5]

Production

Livestock for meat to be used as steak cuts may be raised on a farm or ranch. The meat from various wild game may also be used for steak cuts.

The trade in steaks from bushmeat is a serious threat to biodiversity, as commercial harvesting could endanger species.[6]

Marketing and sales

A standing rib roast, also known as prime rib, which is cut into steaks

Countries with enough suitable land for grazing animals, in particular cattle, have a history of production and culinary use of steak. Such countries include Argentina, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Asian countries, such as China and Korea, steak is traditionally sliced and stir-fried and served in smaller amounts as part of a mixed dish.[7]

Argentina

In Argentina, beef represents a large portion of the country's export market. A total of 11.8 million animals were slaughtered in 2010. The country has one of the largest consumptions of beef per capita worldwide,[8] and much of it is barbecued steak. Beef steak consumption is described as part of the "Argentine national identity".[9] In 2010, there were 244,000 cattle producers in Argentina.[10] In Argentina, a steakhouse is referred to as a parrilla, which are common throughout the country.[11] Portion sizes of steak dishes in Argentine restaurants tend to be large, with steaks weighing over 454 grams (one pound) being commonplace.[12] Asado is a traditional dish that often includes steak and is also the standard word for "barbecue" in Argentina and other countries. Asado is considered a national dish of the country.[13]

Australia

Domestic and international marketing of Australian beef is undertaken by Meat & Livestock Australia, a corporation which runs programs related to quality assurance, sustainable production and environmental considerations, through organizations such as Meat Standards Australia (MLA).[14]

Ireland

The Irish agricultural beef market is a contributor to the economy of Ireland. A significant amount of Irish beef is exported to other countries, with over 50% of exported beef going to the United Kingdom.[15]

New Zealand

The "Steak of Origin" competition has been run for a decade on behalf of the Beef+Lamb Corporation of New Zealand. It "aims to find the most tender and tasty sirloin steak" in the country. Criteria for judging include "tenderness, pH, marbling and % cooking loss" as well as taste.[16]

South Africa

South Africa uses steak to create biltong, a popular and exported dried and cured form that has found a market in many beef-eating countries.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, steak is often served with chips and various vegetable accompaniments.

According to a survey by trade magazine Caterer and Hotelkeeper, the most popular dinner menu in British restaurants in the 1980s included steak: being prawn cocktail, steak and Black Forest gateau.[17]

Cattle breeds such as Hereford or Aberdeen Angus date back to the 1700s, and a handful of farmers continue to raise cattle sired by registered pedigree bulls. Bullocks, which live outdoors year-round, grow slowly as they would in their natural habitat, ultimately producing a distinctly tender meat.[18] Around 2,200,000 cattle are slaughtered for beef each year in the United Kingdom.[19]

United States

In the United States, cuts of beef for retail sale include various beefsteaks, as well as stew meat and hamburger meat.[20] In the U.S. circa 1956, approximately 24% of retail beef cuts were beef steaks.[20]

Beef production is the largest single agriculture in the United States, with 687,540 farms raising cattle and over a million in the production process, as of the 2007 Agriculture Census. On average, a single farm typically raises about 50 cattle at a time, with 97 percent of the cattle farms classified as one of these small family farms. These smaller farms average a gross cash income of $62,286 per year as of 2007.[21][22]

Cooking

London broil is a North American beef dish made by broiling or grilling marinated flank steak, then cutting it across the grain into thin strips.

A grilled steak should no more be kept waiting than should a soufflé or an omelette. Elizabeth David[23]

Beef steaks are commonly grilled, broiled or occasionally fried. Grilled beef steaks can be cooked at different temperatures, or for different lengths of time; the resulting cooked steak ranges from blue (very rare) to overdone. The most common characteristics of a rare steak is a soft, cold, red center. The outside is seared for flavor, while the inside is cooked to suit the diner's preference. Steaks cooked well-done are typically cooked throughout the entire cut of meat. For example, a beefsteak cooked well-done will not have any pinkness in the middle when sliced. Uncooked beef steak can be served raw, such as in steak tartare.

Fish steaks are generally cooked for a short time, as the flesh cooks quickly, especially when grilled. Fish steaks, such as tuna, can also be cooked to various temperatures, such as rare and medium-rare.[24]

The cuts of steak are quite dissimilar between countries owing different methods of cutting up the carcass. The result is that a steak found in one country is not the same as in another, although the recipes may be the same, differing "only in their sauces, butters or garnitures".[25]

Dining

French steak cuts as found on menus
  • Entrecôte: rib steak, cut from the fore and wing end parts of the rib-roast sections, ribs 9-11
  • Romsteck or Rumsteck: rump steak cut from the part of the rump which faces the large end of the filet. Need to be best quality, well-aged.
  • Faux filet or Contre fillet: the boneless uppercut of the loin, corresponding to the larger, less tender part of a porterhouse or T-bone steak
  • Bifteck: cut from the larger less tender end of the fillet, or any lean, boneless steak from a reasonably tender part of the animal
  • Châteaubriand: corresponds to the undercut or fillet portion of a porterhouse steak.[25]

Down on the place d'Armes near Racouchot's, there was a restaurant ...the Pré Aux Clercs ... [that] made very good grilled rare steaks with watercress, which at that time were beginning to be in great vogue in the big cities among the younger generation ...les sportifs... but were dismissed with impatient disgust by older gourmands raised in the intricate traditions of fine sauces and culinary disguise. It was like the Chateaubriant at the other end of the town, also known mostly for its steak and watercress and french fries. M. F. K. Fisher, writing about dining in Dijon in 1929.[26]

Steak has become a popular dish in many places around the world, cooked in domestic as well as professional kitchens, and is often a primary ingredient in a menu. It is used in small amounts in an hors d'oeuvre, in an entrée dish or more usually, in a larger amount as the main course. A steak knife is a specialized piece of cutlery to make cutting the steak easier. It is sharper than other knives and has a serrated edge. Steak has also been an important breakfast dish, especially for people undertaking hard outdoor work, such as farmers.[27] When ordering steak at a restaurant, it is common practice to advise the chef or person taking orders of how you would like your steak cooked. The terms rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well or well-done denote individual preferences. Print references to the word "rare" go back at least to the 17th century c. 1615.[28]

Steak clubs

Badge of the Sublime Society of Beef Steaks: a grill and the motto "Beef and Liberty"
Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce Advertisement (1900)

Beefsteak Clubs were once part of London's club life. They were described as "a club of ancient institution in every theatre; when the principal performers dined one day in the week together (generally Saturday), and authors and other geniuses were admitted members."[29] Dr Johnson's club in Ivy lane was originally a Beef-Steak Club and the "Rump-Steak or Liberty Club" was in existence from 1733–34.[29] The present-day Beefsteak Club, established in 1876, is at 9 Irving Street, London. Among its members are many notable people.

Steakhouses

A steakhouse is a restaurant that specializes in beefsteaks and other individual portions of meat. Chophouses started in London in the 1690s, and served individual portions of meat, known as chops.[30] The houses were normally only open for men: for example, women were only admitted to Stone's Chop House in 1921.[31][32] Accounts of travellers in 19th century London refer to their "dining off mutton chop, rump steak and a 'weal' cutlet", as well as hams and sirloins.[33]

Delmonico's restaurant in New York City, which opened in 1827 and stayed open for almost 100 years, has been described as "the most famous steak restaurant in American history".[34] Delmonico steak refers to a method of preparation from one of several cuts of beef (typically the rib cut) prepared Delmonico style, originally from the mid-19th century.[35]

Hundreds of restaurants continue to specialize in serving steak, describing themselves as "steakhouses", competing for culinary awards and aiming for culinary excellence.

Sauces and condiments

Steak au poivre prepared with filet mignon and peppercorn sauce

Classic sauces and seasonings to accompany steak include:

Commercially produced bottled sauces for steak and pre-mixed spices are also popular. In 2012 in the U.S., A1 Steak Sauce had slightly over 50% of the market share for all meat sauce products, and was the category leader.[36] Montreal steak seasoning is a spice mix used to flavor steak and grilled meats that was based on the pickling dry-rub mix used in preparing Montreal smoked meat.[37]

Cultural significance

A reindeer steak, cooked rare

Steak and other meat products can now be frozen and exported, but before the invention of commercial refrigeration, transporting meat over long distances was impossible. Communities had to rely on what was locally available, which, in turn, determined the forms and tradition of meat consumption. Hunter-gathering peoples cut steaks from local indigenous animals. For example, Sami cuisine relies partly on the meat of the reindeer; the Inuit diet uses locally caught sea-mammal meat from whales; Indigenous Australians ate kangaroo, while indigenous North American food included bison steak. In the Middle East, meat recipes from medieval times onwards simply state "meat" without specifying the kind or the cut and "apart from an occasional gazelle, kid or camel", only lamb and mutton were eaten because cattle were seldom bred.[38]

In contemporary Argentina, where consumption of steak is very high,[8] steak is a significant part of the national cuisine and the barbecue asado has the status of a national dish. In Austria, the national dish is Wiener Schnitzel, which is a type of steak made from veal. Advice on butchery and recipes for American black bear steak and chops is provided by US governments.[39]

Types

Beefsteak

See also: Meat hanging, Beef aging and Cut of beef

Many types of beefsteak exist. The more tender cuts of beef, from the loin and rib, are cooked quickly, using dry heat, and served whole. Less tender cuts from the chuck or round are cooked with moist heat or are mechanically tenderized (e.g. cube steak). Beef steak can be cooked to a level of very rare (bleu, a cold raw center), rare, medium rare, medium, medium well done, or well done. Pittsburgh rare is charred on the outside. Beef, unlike certain other meats, does not need to be cooked through. Food-borne human illnesses are not normally found within a beef steak, though surfaces can potentially be contaminated from handling, and thus, very rare steak (seared on the outside and raw within) is generally accepted as safe.

Beef steak is graded for quality, with higher prices for higher quality. Generally, the higher the quality, the more tender the beef, the less time is needed for cooking, or the better the flavor. For example, beef fillet is the most tender[40] and wagyu, such as Kobe beef from Japan, is known for its high quality and commands a high price.[41] Steak can be cooked relatively quickly compared to other cuts of meat, particularly when cooked at very high temperatures, such as by broiling or grilling.

The quality and safety of steak as a food product is regulated by law. In Australia, there are National Meat Accreditation standards;[42] in Canada, there is the Canadian Beef Grading Agency;[43] in the United Kingdom, the Food Standards Agency is responsible;[44] in the United States, beef is graded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as select, choice or prime,[45] where "prime" refers to beef of the highest quality, typically that which has significant marbling.[45] In 1996 in the U.S., only 2.4% of cattle were graded as prime,[46] and most prime beef is sold in restaurants and hotels.[45]

There is a wide range of quickly prepared and well-known beef steak dishes, including Minute steak, steak sandwiches, and steak and eggs. "Surf and turf", which combines meat and fish, requires more time to prepare. Steak meat is also often minced, shredded, chopped finely or re-formed to create a range of dishes, including steak burgers, that retain the name "steak". Other such dishes include:

  • Chicken fried steak – a breaded cutlet dish consisting of a piece of steak (tenderized cube steak) coated with seasoned flour and pan-fried. It is associated with U.S. Southern cuisine.
  • Hamburg steak – a beefsteak that is shaped into a patty to be cooked after being minced. It is similar to the Salisbury steak. Made popular worldwide by the migrating Germans, it became a mainstream dish around the start of the nineteenth century.
  • Restructured steak – a class of imitation beef steaks made from smaller pieces of beef fused together by a binding agent. Its development started in the 1970s.
  • Salisbury steak, first recorded in 1897 and named after James Salisbury, a doctor during the American Civil War, who recommended people eat hamburger three times per day. During World War I, American solders replaced the word "hamburger" with Salisbury steak for political reasons.[47]

Fish steak

Fish steaks are cut perpendicular to the spine and include bones. Although their delicate flesh requires quicker cooking than beef, steaks from swordfish, halibut, tuna, salmon and mahi-mahi can be grilled. They are frequently cooked whole or as fillets. Fish steaks may also be poached or baked using a court bouillon, wine or sauce or cooked en papillote.[48]

Commercial sashimi tuna steaks may have their coloration fixated by the use of flushing with carbon monoxide (CO), whereby CO is pumped into bags containing the tuna, which is then stored at 4° Celsius.[49] The duration of time for color fixation to occur varies per the size of the meat. For example, a two-inch tuna steak takes twenty-four hours for color fixation to be completed using this process.[49] When utilized, color fixation using CO occurs prior to the vacuum sealing of tuna steaks for storage.[49] In Japan, color fixation using CO is prohibited.[49]

Lamb steak

Seasoned and chargrilled lamb fillet steak

Lamb steaks come from a range of cuts and are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a range of dishes. It can be served warm or cold and is commonly found sliced into salads.[50]

Pork steak

Pork steaks are generally cut from the shoulder of the pig, but can also be cut from the loin or leg of the pig. Shoulder steaks are cut from the same primal cut of meat most commonly used for pulled pork, and can be quite tough without long cooking times due to the high amount of collagen in the meat; therefore, pork shoulder steaks are often cooked slower than a typical beef steak, and may be stewed or simmered in barbecue sauce during cooking.

Cooked gammon steaks are a component of a full breakfast, whereas ham steaks from a rolled pork loin are more likely to be served at lunch.

A Boston butt is a type of pork steak originating from colonial New England, where butchers would pack less valuable cuts of pork in barrels, called butts.[51]

Vegetarian steak

Sliced vegetables can be used as vegetarian "steaks", such as cauliflower, portobello mushrooms, and eggplant.[52] Beans and legumes (such as soybeans) have also been used to form steak foods.[53][54][55] Watermelon steaks are steak-shaped pieces of watermelon, often prepared by grilling. Its texture has been compared to that of seared meat, and it has been described as unique in its taste and texture.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Carrier, Robert (1981-01-01). Robert Carrier's Kitchen. Vol. 1. London, UK: Marshall Cavendish. p. 1456.
  2. ^ Mushroom steaks
  3. ^ "steak (n.)". Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, Inc. 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-02.
  4. ^ "The Compact Edition". Oxford English Dictionary. Vol. 2. England,UK: Oxford University Press. 1933. p. 883. ISBN 9780198611172. 10104594. Retrieved 2014-10-14.
  5. ^ Ayto, John (1990). The Diner's Dictionary: Word Origins of Food and Drink. Oxford University Press. pp. 351–2. ISBN 978-0-19-964024-9.
  6. ^ Cowlishaw, Guy; Mendelson, Samantha; Rowcliffe, Marcus J (9 June 2005). "Evidence for post-depletion sustainability in a mature bushmeat market" (PDF). Journal of Applied Ecology. 42 (3). London, UK: Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London: 460–468. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2664.2005.01046.x. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  7. ^ "Chinese peasants had already mastered the richly varied environment and knew every edible part of it, which helped them to withstand famine. The stir-fry technique conserved precious firewood and enabled cooks to be exceedingly adaptable." Symons, Michael (2007). One Continuous Picnic: A gastronomic history of Australia (2nd ed.). Carlton, Victoria: Melbourne University Press. pp. 86–87. ISBN 9780522853230.
  8. ^ a b Arelovich, Hugo M; Bravo, Rodrigo D; Martínez, Marcela F (October 2011). "Development, Characteristics & Trends for Beef Cattle Production in Argentina". 1 (2). Animal Frontiers: 37–45. Retrieved 9 October 2014. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. ^ Romero, Simon (13 June 2013). "Argentina Falls From Its Throne as King of Beef". New York Times. Retrieved 13 October 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ "Argentina Livestock and Products Annual 2011" (PDF). Foreign Agricultural Service. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  11. ^ Moss, Chris; McGarvey, Declan (2010). DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Argentina. Penguin. p. 288. ISBN 0756686571.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Yogerst, Joe; Mellin, Maribeth (2001). Argentina. Globe Pequot. p. 39. ISBN 0762703547.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ "El asado". Vía Restó.com (in Spanish). Buenos Aires: Grupo Clarín. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2012. Nacido en el centro de las costumbres gauchas, el asado se impuso como el plato nacional por excelencia. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ Meat & Livestock Australia: marketing
  15. ^ Sarzeaud, Patrick; Dimitriadou, Andie; Zjalic, Milan (2008). EU Beef Farming Systems and CAP Regulations. Wageningen Academic. p. 69. ISBN 9086860583.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Steak of Origin (Beef+Lamb New Zealand)
  17. ^ Wood, Roy C. (February 17, 2010). Strategic Questions in Food and Beverage Management. Routledge. p. 69. ISBN 978-1-136-36209-5. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  18. ^ "Waitrose beef". Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  19. ^ "Beef farming in the UK". Living Countryside. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  20. ^ a b Beef marketing margins and costs, Volumes 708–721. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Services. 1956. pp. 12–13.
  21. ^ "Cattle Industry: Who We Are" (PDF). Cattlemen's Beef Board and National Cattlemen's Beef Association. 2009. Retrieved 8 October 2014. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  22. ^ "Beef Production". United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2013-04-12. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  23. ^ David, Elizabeth (1970). Spices, Salts and Aromatics in the English Kitchen. Middlesex, England: Penguin Books. p. 151. ISBN 9781902304663.
  24. ^ Peterson, James (2014). A Cook's Guide to Knowing When Food Is Perfectly Cooked. Chronicle Books. p. 107. ISBN 1452132283.
  25. ^ a b Beck, Simone; Bertholle, Louisette; Child, Julia (1961). Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Middlesex, England: Penguin Books. pp. 315–317.
  26. ^ M.F.K. Fisher (1993). Long ago in France. London: Flamingo. p. 39. ISBN 058609248X.
  27. ^ O'Conner, Elizabeth (1958). Steak for breakfast. Sydney, NSW: Angus & Robertson.
  28. ^ "["implied in: G. Markham Eng. Hus-wife in Countrey Contentments ii. 54 To know when meate is rosted enough, for as too much rareness is vnwholsome, so too much drinesse is not nourishing. [at rareness n.2] 1776 G. Colman Spleen ii. 26 For which reason they leave the food without any juices at all. Without them, Sir, instead of beef or mutton, you might as well eat mahogany?. Eat your meat as rare as possible, Sir..."Olver, Lynne (2014-08-18). "The Food Timeline". Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  29. ^ a b Timbs, John (1866). Club Life of London with Anecdotes of the Clubs, Coffee-Houses and Taverns of the Metropolis During the 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries:. London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street. p. 159.
  30. ^ Alan Davidson, Oxford Companion to Food, s.v. 'chop'
  31. ^ Burnett, John (2004). England Eats Out: A Social History of Eating Out in England from 1830 to the Present. Pearson/Longman. p. 101. ISBN 0-582-47266-0.
  32. ^ Virginia, Curle (1963). A History of Stone's Chop House. London, England.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  33. ^ Peter Ackroyd (2003). London the biography (1st Anchor Books ed. ed.). New York: Anchor books. p. 310. ISBN 0-385-49771-7. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)
  34. ^ Schatzker, Mark (2010). Steak: One Man's Search for the World's Tastiest Piece of Beef. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN 1101190108.
  35. ^ Joe O' Connell. "Delmonico steak: a mystery solved". Retrieved 2007-03-17.
  36. ^ Pettit, Raymond (2012). Learning From Winners. Psychology Press. p. 74. ISBN 1136676767.
  37. ^ Browstein, Bill (2006), Schwartz's Hebrew Delicatessen: The Story, Vehicule Press, ISBN 978-1-55065-212-3
  38. ^ Roden, Claudia (1970). A Book of Middle Eastern Cooking. Middlesex, England, New York, New York, Ringwood, Victoria, Australia, Ontario, Canada, Auckland New Zealand: Penguin Books. p. 212.
  39. ^ Bear Recipe Guide (2011)
  40. ^ Australian cuts of beef
  41. ^ Facts and origins of wagyu breed
  42. ^ AusMeat Ltd National Accreditation Standards
  43. ^ The Canadian Beef Grading Agency
  44. ^ Food Standards Agency: Meat
  45. ^ a b c Meadows, Larry (2013-01-28). "What's Your Beef – Prime, Choice or Select?". USDA. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  46. ^ "Quality beef demand outstrips supply" (PDF). Western Livestock Journal. 2006-03-13. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  47. ^ "What is the origin of Salisbury steak? How about hamburger?". Dictionary.com. Random House,Inc. 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-02.
  48. ^ Peterson, James (2003). Essentials of Cooking. Artisan Books. pp. 112–113. ISBN 1579652360.
  49. ^ a b c d Hui, Y. H.; ; et al. (2004). Handbook of Frozen Foods. CRC Press. p. 328. ISBN 0203022009. {{cite book}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  50. ^ Psilakis, Michael; Binns, Brigit; Shapiro, Ellen (2009). How to Roast a Lamb. New Greek Classic Cooking (1st eBook ed.). New York, NY: Little, Brown and Co./Hachette Book Group. ISBN 9780316071734. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  51. ^ 5195924 A US patent US 5195924 A, Eugene D. Gagliardi, Jr., "Method of butchering an animal carcass to produce a generally flat, boneless meat product and meat product produced", issued 1993-03-23 
  52. ^ Yonan, Joe. "Weeknight Vegetarian: Craving a vegetable 'steak'". Washington Post. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  53. ^ "Bean "steak" manufactured for factory menus". New Scientist. 56 (814). Reed Business Information: 21. 5 Oct 1972. ISSN 0262-4079. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  54. ^ Institute of Food Science and Technology (U.K.), Ireland. Irish Livestock and Meat Commission (1971). Beef processing and marketing: proceedings of an International Symposium held in Dublin, April 28–29, 1971. An Foras Talúntais. p. 22. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  55. ^ Minutes of the Wartime Conference of General Managers. W.E. Long Company. 1943. p. 19. Retrieved 8 October 2014.

Further reading