How Martha Stewart Cooks The Perfect Porterhouse Steak Every Time

Martha Stewart is renowned for her culinary expertise, and her method for cooking the perfect porterhouse steak is both straightforward and effective. She begins by selecting a high-quality, well-marbled steak, ensuring it is at room temperature before cooking to promote even cooking. Seasoning is simple yet essential, as she prefers a liberal amount of coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the steak’s natural flavors. Martha uses a heavy, preheated cast-iron skillet to achieve a perfectly seared crust. The steak is placed in the hot skillet without any oil, allowing the fat from the meat to render and create a flavorful crust. Searing for a few minutes on each side ensures a beautiful caramelization. To finish, she transfers the skillet to a preheated oven, cooking the steak to the desired doneness. Martha emphasizes the importance of using a meat thermometer to achieve precise results, aiming for a temperature of around 130-135°F for medium-rare. After cooking, she lets the steak rest for several minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute. To serve, she often slices the steak against the grain, ensuring tenderness, and suggests pairing it with a simple side dish to let the steak shine as the star of the meal.
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Why open-air broiling is effective

Cooking steak with an open-air broiler is not a novel idea. In fact, it's often suggested to keep the oven door slightly ajar while broiling, especially when using an electric oven, to achieve optimal results with premium cuts of steak. Closing the oven door can cause the internal temperature to rise too quickly, potentially causing the oven to switch to bake mode, where heat circulates around the food instead of directly searing it from above. This can disrupt the cooking process and hinder the formation of that desirable crispy crust. By leaving the oven door slightly open, you allow excess heat to escape, ensuring that the broiler remains active without shutting off.

However, this tip is primarily applicable to electric ovens. Be sure to consult your gas range's manual before attempting this method. Alternatively, you could elevate your cooking game by investing in an open-air salamander broiler, which provides high heat levels along with the advantage of adjustable cooking grids and heating elements for better control.

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