Kitchen Prep

Start by thinking about your favorite ways to eat and enjoy beef.  There are so many easy and healthful ways to prepare beef, so take your time. If you and your family like steak and burgers, you may want to invest in a sturdy skillet and an outdoor grill.  For braises and stews, a heavy gauge stock pot will be your best friend. And for low-fat cooking, a non-stick skillet is the way to go. But don’t forget broiling!

Your recipe will guide you in what size and type of cookware to use. The recipe will also guide you in when to preheat the oven or what level of heat to use.  An oven thermometer will give you a sense of how accurate your oven temperature is, and you can adjust accordingly. Then to check if your beef is cooked to preferred doneness, use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature.

When marinating or making a sauce with wine, vinegar or lemon juice, you’ll want to use a pan with a non-reactive surface, such as non-stick, anodized aluminum or stainless steel.  Reactive metals such as aluminum and cast iron can have a negative effect on the taste and color of dishes prepared with acidic ingredients.