Basic Cooking Methods

Pan Searing

  • Let meat reach room temperature (30-60 minutes)
  • Pat meat dry before cooking
  • Preheat pan until water droplets dance
  • Cook 3-5 minutes per side for medium-rare steak

Temperature Guide

Doneness Temperature Description
Rare 125°F (52°C) Red center, cool
Medium Rare 135°F (57°C) Red center, warm
Medium 145°F (63°C) Pink center

Advanced Techniques

Reverse Searing

  1. Preheat oven to 250°F (121°C)
  2. Cook until internal temp reaches 115°F (46°C)
  3. Rest 10 minutes
  4. Sear in hot pan 1 minute each side

Sous Vide

  • Set water bath to desired final temperature
  • Cook 1-inch steak for 1 hour
  • Finish with torch or pan sear

Organ Meat Preparation

Liver

  • Soak in milk to reduce strong flavor
  • Cook quickly on high heat
  • Don’t overcook – center should be pink

Heart

  • Remove outer membrane
  • Slice against grain
  • Grill or pan-sear like steak

Food Safety

Safe Temperatures

  • Ground Beef: 160°F (71°C)
  • Pork: 145°F (63°C)
  • Chicken: 165°F (74°C)
  • Fish: 145°F (63°C)

Storage Guidelines

  • Refrigerated meat: 3-5 days
  • Ground meat: 1-2 days
  • Frozen meat: 4-12 months

Kitchen Equipment

Essential Tools

  • Cast iron skillet
  • Meat thermometer
  • Sharp knives
  • Heavy-duty tongs

Optional Equipment

  • Sous vide circulator
  • Vacuum sealer
  • Grill
  • Smoker

Flavor Enhancement

Permitted Seasonings

  • Sea salt
  • Black pepper
  • Herbs (if tolerated)

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Tough Meat

  • Let meat rest before cutting
  • Cut against the grain
  • Use appropriate cooking method for cut

Overcooked Meat

  • Use thermometer
  • Consider carry-over cooking
  • Remove from heat 5°F before target

Chef’s Tips

  • Always rest meat before cutting
  • Room temperature meat cooks more evenly
  • Invest in quality cooking tools
  • Learn to cook by touch and sight