Restaurant Quality Pan-Fried Steak

INGREDIENTS

• 2 strip steaks (each about 1 inch thick)
• Kosher or sea salt and ground pepper
• 1 tsp unsalted butter

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Allow steaks to come to room temperature and season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Heat a large cast iron or heavy-bottomed skillet over high for 5 minutes.
3. Add 1/2 tsp butter to pan, then immediately top with one steak. Repeat with remaining 1/2 tsp butter and steak.
4. Cook without moving steaks until a golden brown crust forms, 3 to 4 minutes.
5. Turn and cook 2 minutes more for rare, or 3 to 4 minutes more for medium-rare.
6. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes. Slice steaks against the grain.

Serve with steamed or broiled broccoli or asparagus, or seasonal vegetable of your choice.