This week I went back to school, Steak School that is to learn all about steaks and how to cook them. Miller & Carter organised the event to celebrate their recent Eblex award win for England’s Best Sirloin steak. Miller & Carter are owned by Birmingham based Mitchells & Butlers and it was great to find out more about a local firm.
So who are Eblex? They are the organisation for the beef and lamb industry and they introduced the awards this year to recognise and reward quality, innovation and excellence in beef and lamp production. There are 3 different competitions: Best Sirloin Steak, Best Innovative Steak and Best Steak Pie. Miller & Carter entered its 12oz sirloin steak to win the best ‘Foodservice’ category.
We found all about how Miller & Carter source their steaks and it taught us a lot about steak as we went along. I was brought up as very much a carnivore and meat was an important part of our family’s life. I spent a lot of time in butchers’ shops (or so it seemed) and the freezer was always full of meat. My husband isn’t quite such a dedicated meat-eater and isn’t as keen on beef as I am. Hence, I don’t very often cook steak, but I often choose it when we go out for a meal. It was good to hear that Miller & Carter source their meat very carefully and it is all reared on British farms. It’s important to me that my meat is produced ethically and I think it tastes better when a bit of care has gone into producing it. I was impressed with the care taken with the steaks in the kitchen and it certainly makes sense when you think it takes so long to produce the product, it deserves respect in the kitchen too. Traceability goes all the way to the table too, which is fantastic.
Next up we learnt how to cook our steaks and get the perfect diamond shape. It was very simple and I’d like to do it at home, but apparently using a griddle pan is not the way as it doesn’t heat evenly.
So some of the key tips I picked up were:
- Choose good quality meat.
- Let your steak breathe for 20-30 minutes before cooking. Letting it come up to room temperature will help it stay tender.
- A good coating of oil (rapeseed ideally) and a seasoning of rock salt and pepper will get your steak ready for the pan or grill.
- Cook on a high temperature as this will help seal the meat to lock in the flavour.
- Let it rest before serving.
I loved that all the Miller & Carter steaks come served with parsley butter, seasoned fries, a slice of moreish onion loaf and a balsamic glazed beef tomato. They also come with your choice of lettuce wedge and steak sauce. It’s good that all these come included – I don’t like being charged extra for things that I feel are part of my main course.
wow that is fantastic, what a great experience. I am now really wanting steak for dinner! x
angela hamilton recently posted..We All Need An Escape
What a brilliant opportunity. our generation was largely deprived of “domestic science” and cookery lessons – our school thought offering DT was progressive! Consequently I rely hugely on my Mum for advice on such things as cooking cuts of meat – I know very little.
Kate Thompson recently posted..Somewhere over the rainbow…
The tracebility of our food is so important- I totally agree with you on that point. I’ve been trying to buy local for the past month or so especially for this reason.
Those are excellent tips for cooking steak, but probably for other meats too, right?
Monika recently posted..My blog and vlog camera
Yes I’d say that they would make sense with other meats too Monica.
Erica Price recently posted..Trying Out Degustabox
Great steak tips here 😀 We’ve got a Miller and Carter near us, it serves a very good steak x
Michelle recently posted..Shades of Purple – Project 365 : 2015 – Day 135
I never thought about using rapeseed oil with steak – thanks for the tip!
Apparently it doesn’t burn easily so good for high temperature cooking and it’s virtually tasteless so doesn’t detract.
Erica Price recently posted..Maille Mustard’s Summer Menu
I’ve never thought of doing steak myself, its too expensive for me to mess it up, haha! But I love it as a treat when I’m out, I always go for the steak. Medium rare, I can’t be doing with it well done. Miller and Carter is one of my fave places to eat, they do a white chocolate box dessert that is just divine! Glad you had a good day x
OOOO h I love a good steak and the correct cooking of course is key to this
ninjacat recently posted..I am a seeker
As a vegetarian I have to say….I like look of the chips!
What a fantastic sounding experience and the outcome looks delicious. x
Sarah Bailey recently posted..4 great ways to clear the clutter in your home
Oh wow Erica this must have been fantastic, what a wonderful experience. I can almost smell the steak although we did have steak and chips for dinner tonight lol! Looks amazing, lovely post 🙂
OOh what a fabulous experience, I love a good rare cooked steak x
Rachel recently posted..Online Shopping!
oh this sounds heavenly! .. i adore steak and yet i am rubbish at cooking it!
Jaime Oliver recently posted..Silent Sunday 17/5/15
oh this would be my ideal teachings, my husband and i love steak so would love ot learn how to cook it perfectly as we eat it very differently to eachother
Looks like an amazing experience. Steak is my favourite meal ever, so I’d love this! It all looks very yummy!
Amy Squires recently posted..Slimming World Sunday #09
I’m veggie so this wouldn’t be one for me, but I love those little barrels of chips!
That has made me really hungry, and I’ve only just finished my dinner 🙂
VaiChin recently posted..Yondi Panda by Trunki
Love when chips are presented like that! So cute! Looks yum! X
I love a good steak and it is always nice to learn something new which can improve our cooking method.
Agata recently posted..Show me your stains and #win a Vanish bundle
Oooo, I am glad I saw this post – I saw your steak photo on 365. What a fabulous experience. Thank you for linking to #PoCoLo x
Verily Victoria Vocalises recently posted..Summer Fashion Baby-Style from Melijoe
I’m veggie too but goods tips for those who aren’t and the chips look yum! x
Fritha Strickland recently posted..Boden A/W
What a fantastic experience – I love Miller and Carter and was there only last weekend
Oh the steak looks amazing. I rarely have it, but love it when I do! Kaz
Ickle Pickle recently posted..Shoe Zone SS15 Range
oh my that looks amazing what a good experience.
mummy little blog recently posted..Guest Post – Spring Clean Check list
OMG! My mouth is watering just reading this! Great review!