July 2020 – Edible British Columbia

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or struggling to put together the right menu for your business deciding on what food you are going to serve can be a monumental task. There are lots of factors to consider such as food allergies and any other food preferences your guests may have. It is vital you offer options for people who may be vegetarian or vegan so they feel included in your menu, if you are planning on hosting some kind of food event I would recommend you plan your menu well in advance and inform your guests of the options you have available, this allows plenty of time for your guests to decide what they want to eat and puts you in a position where you know exactly what you need to make.

However, a pre-planned menu is not always suitable as diners visiting a restaurant may not want to decide on what they are going to eat until they visit. This is where an innovative and well thought out menu is required to ensure every dietary requirement is met, here is some advice from a select few of the world’s most renowned chefs as well as some helpful tips on how catering companies in Brisbane select their menu.

Think about what you would enjoy eating

As a chef it is important that you have a level of interest and passion behind the food that you serve, this not only ensures a delicious meal is created but also reflects your flair and style of cooking to your dinner guests. The best chefs around the world are all known for a signature style of cooking and their food is instantly recognizable, it is important you find your own style in terms of flavor combinations, cooking methods and presentation as this will be the type of food you not only enjoy cooking the most but also what tastes the best.

Cater to every dietary requirement

It goes without saying how crucial it is you have food options for every single dietary issue there is, all it takes is for one person to come into your restaurant with a dietary requirement you haven’t properly prepared for and your professional reputation can seriously be hindered. It would be advisable to take the time and do thorough research into any food deficiency there is and come up with ways in which your menu could be adapted to suit your guest’s needs. Like any business you are going to have a huge variety of customers each in need of a different service, in this case, you need to ensure your menu has a solid meal option they can enjoy.

Consider the event and venue

Deciding on the perfect menu can totally depend on the event and venue your food is being served at, if the event is more social with guests standing and interacting with each other then it would be much more suitable to serve easy to eat buffet style food. If your guests want a luxury style service then a seated meal with different courses would be required, a good idea would be to meet with your customers prior to the event and discuss the kind of atmosphere their event will have. Meeting with your customers not only displays a high level of customer service but also ensures you know exactly what they want to eat and allows you to deliver the perfect menu as they have had involvement. Communication is also a key factor when it comes to finding out any potential dietary requirements and allows you to deal with them to the very best standard.

Fillet steaks are a favorite among steak connoisseurs as they are the most tender, although they are usually the most expensive. However, they aren’t too difficult to cook, they don’t have much fat and can be served as rare as you want. Consequently, you don’t have to be a professional chef to cook the perfect fillet steak, all you need is a bit of guidance and some patience.

The Pan

If you are cooking your steak indoors, it’s probably best to fry your steak by using a frying pan,air fryer or convection oven. You don’t need the worlds best frying pan to cook a great steak, but you do need one that is heavy-duty and thick based if you want to get the best results, although a cost iron skillet or a heavy griddle pan can also be used and you’ll still cook a great steak. This is because these pans will give you that tasty charred finish to the outer layer of your steak due to the fact that they get really fast and retain heat really well.

When cooking you should leave a lot of room in your pan – don’t try and squeeze them all in at the same time!

Seasoning

While some people only like a bit of salt and some pepper to enrich the flavor of their steak, there are some more inventive seasonings that may be closer to your liking. For instance, adding some marinade will add flavor and tenderize your steak. Other options are balsamic vinegar or honey and mustard, as these flavorings will reduce down to a sweet glaze. If you want to be adventurous, some miso or teriyaki marinade will give the steak a lovely Asian aroma. If you are just adding some salt and vinegar, sprinkle a generous amount of cracked black pepper and salt on to a plate and press the steak into the season right before you put it in the pan.

Some cooks also add garlic and herbs like rosemary and thyme while the steak is cooking to give it some subtle flavor that doesn’t overpower the flavor of the steak itself.

How Long to Cook the Fillet Steak (3.5 cm)

Blue: 1:30 mins on each side

Rare: 2:15 mins on each side

Medium-rare: 3:15 mins on each side

Medium: 4:14 mins on each side

To check if the steak is cooked to your liking, simply prod it with your fingers. A rare steak will feel soft, while medium-rare will be a little bit bouncy and a well-done steak will feel firm.

Resting the Steak

After you’ve finished cooking, leaving the steak to rest at room temperature for a minimum of 5 minutes, it will keep its heat for up to 10 minutes. As it rests, the meat’s fibers will absorb much of the free running juices, giving you a moist and really tender steak. Then, simply pour whatever juices remain over the steak before serving.

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Archive: Jul 2020