Rare & Med-Rare Un-Appreciation thread

[Rich Parker]

You mean this might be a little under done for you?

[Moose]

A few years ago, I conducted an experiment:

A couple that we are very close to always insisted on having their meat cooked medium well. Anything less was unacceptable to them.

One night, I cooked two steaks, one medium well, and the other somewhere between rare and medium rare. Both steaks were seasoned identically.

I then blindfolded both of them, and they sampled a piece of the medium well meat, then they sampled a piece of the rare/medium rare meat.

The feedback was immediately unanimous- they loved the rarer meat, but thought the medium well was overcooked, dry, and flavorless.

When I took their blindfolds off, they were shocked to see what they had just eaten. I asked them to continue eating the medium well steak, but they wouldn't have any of it. They wanted the rarer meat, and they wanted it now!

Since then, they have never ordered or prepared anything but medium rare.

My point is this: The perception of a less cooked piece of meat is a visual turn off for some people. Yet, when they can't see what they are eating, they naturally prefer the moister, more flavorful less cooked meat.

I could add numerous comments, but I really think this story speaks for itself.

[Pyle's BBQ]

One of my favorites is Steak Tartar.

[Gore]

Thanks Moose, I've done that same thing guests and have gotten the same results. Also done it with hamburger of different fat contents.

[deguerre]

---K---, if that's what you like, then that's what I'd serve you if you were my guest. I would have mine rare/med rare but I ain't arguin' with company.

[Midnight Smoke]

With a little Ketchup, any steak is edible...

[OneHump]

Originally Posted by {Midnight ☼ Smoke}

With a little Ketchup, any steak is edible...

NO you didn't!

[Groundhog66]

Originally Posted by deguerre

---K---, if that's what you like, then that's what I'd serve you if you were my guest. I would have mine rare/med rare but I ain't arguin' with company.

Spot on

[bigabyte]

[OakPit]

Originally Posted by bigabyte

It surely must be. ;-)

[Carbon]

Most all my Latin friends and family members like their meat charred and destroyed while most of my White and Asian friends and family members like their's no more cooked than medium.
It's mostly a cultural thing if you look at the big picture.

I like them med rare and I tell whomever (usually family members) like their meat well done to take their portions and cook them further in the microwave for a few minutes.
If I'm dealing with a large group in my home I will cater to their requests.

[The_Kapn]

I'm not gonna put a "name" on my desired doneness for beef.
Too many interpretations out there.

I like it just beyond the bloody and bright red stage.
Basically, pink for me.

TIM

[jestridge]

Just because someone like their steaks rare or well done doesn't make them an expert , it all an individual taste I'm not expert, but I would never cook a good steak over some of those charcoal briquet ,now that would be abuse to steak ,in my opinion.

[Capozzoli]

Oh man, rare or medium depending on the cut for me.

We get grass fed beef steaks a lot, cook those over medium and it is inedible, no matter what you like. Same with venison, it has to be rare.

I like a prime rib well, if it is an end cut of a whole roasted prime rib.

[gtr]

I prefer chasing animals and taking bites from them as they try to run away from me.